East Third Street was closed Saturday for a Shop Small Market event where vendors sold fun items inside the San Felipe Soccer Training Facility and out on the street. America Ovalle had recently started these market events early in 2023. Ovalle said she wanted to have a Halloween themed market event and close the street so more vendors can join.

COMMUNITY — Spooky Market boosts small businesses

By Louis Zylka 

The 830 Times

East Third Street was closed for an open market event with vendors and food trucks selling treats and household goods to celebrate the upcoming Fall season.

Spooky Night Market was an open market Saturday at 402 E. 3rd St., with booths set up outside on the street and inside the San Felipe Soccer Training Facility. 

Alma Soto was selling woodcrafts, door hangers and porch leaners at the Spooky Night Market event at San Felipe Soccer Training Facility on Saturday, Oct. 7. The market event brought together vendors to sell goods in the theme of Fall and Halloween. Soto said people get excited to buy decorations for Halloween early in the month. (Photo by Louis Zylka)

Event organizer America Ovalle said she has been doing these open markets at the training facility since spring 2023 and has been calling them Shop Small Markets. 

“I wanted to make the market fun and family friendly, and kids like the excitement of Halloween and the spooky vibes of it, and to do that for this market was my goal,” Ovalle said. 

America’s mother Letty Ovalle, who had her own booth selling freshly squeezed lemonade, said it was their first time having the market indoors and outdoors. She said the Saturday event has been the biggest one they had so far.

Ovalle said she aimed to have a variety of vendors for her market with people selling different products. Hector Gonzalez had his booth Hektees where he sold shirts based off different movies. Gonzalez was custom-making shirts at his booth, where customers were able to get a shirt in less than a minute.

Alma Soto had her booth called Desert Angels Creations where she sells seasonal items she hand-painted. She said September through December is the busiest time of the year for vendors. 

And what is a market without vendors selling a variety of candies and fun food? Claudia Abrego had her both called Yummylicious Treats where she sold dulces enchilados, chammy rim dips, and multiple candies inside Halloween-related packages such as pumpkin gum-ball boxes, portion bottles and coffin containers. 

Ovalle said she plans to have another Shop Small Market event Nov. 4, which will also be a food drive.

Joel Langton

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