The Wisteria Pop-Up Marketplace, to be located on 10.5 acres of city-owned property on Wisteria Drive across from the Snellville Police Department, will offer a one-day experiential event showcasing local businesses and entrepreneurs.
The demonstration marketplace is a multi-vendor commercial village that models a lifelong public space, featuring only locally owned and operated businesses and has a broad public purpose to promote the growth and development of locally owned businesses. The marketplace will showcase The Towne Center @ Snellville business concept which celebrates the diversity and inspiration of locally owned businesses.
The marketplace, sponsored by the Downtown Development Authority of Snellville, Snellville Arts Commission, Snellville Farmers Market, Community Garden @ Snellville and Snellville Tourism and Trade, was made possible after the DDA received a $15,000 Lifelong Tactical Urbanism Demonstration Project grant. The funds will be used to create the marketplace which will be housed under tents and offer local business owners a central location in The Towne Center and the Livable Centers Initiative to shop their wares.
“Local? Sustainable? Entrepreneurial? Healthy? Place making? Have you heard of lifelong communities?” asked Eric Van Otteren, the city’s Economic Development manager. “Lifelong communities provide a full range of options for residents, ensuring a high quality of life for all. The city of Snellville’s award of a Lifelong Tactical Urbanism Demonstration Project grant will allow the community of Snellville an opportunity to experience the benefits of a public market and how it enriches ongoing community initiatives.’
Planters may line Wisteria Drive to form a lane for bicyclists and pedestrians to access the event. Reserve seats for a white tablecloth restaurant are planned. A local chef will prepare a farm-to-table menu. A yoga instructor and displays of mixed use housing projects will also be on display. Students from South Gwinnett High School will create a space that shares their vision of the picture perfect Snellville.
“I am very excited about the coming together of Snellville’s community and business organizations to demonstrate a next step in serving persons of varied ages and interests to learn and experience how a lifelong community looks and feels,” Van Otteren said. “Public markets are a wonderful year-round, multi-vendor activity. The merchants within tend to be independent owner-operators who are often, but not always, involved in the production of the products they sell.”
A group comprised of city officials, local business owners and leaders and students from SGHS will be meeting to plan the event. Volunteers are needed to help with the marketplace. Local businesses are encouraged to participate to help propel the pop-up event.
For more information visit www.snellville.org or call Van Otteren at 770-985-3502.
