Written by Maggie Maize and Sophie Leopold, photos courtesy of Jessi Harrington-Newton
Last Saturday, the Starland neighborhood hummed with the creative energy of the DeSoto Spring Street Market. DeSoto Avenue, the quiet block tucked behind Back in the Day Bakery, became an intimate, yet vibrant open-air fair. An assortment of craftspeople and small businesses collaborated to showcase the fruits of their artistic labors. Visitors were able to browse a range of goods from hand-woven textiles, homemade soap and bath bombs to one of a kind jewelry.
Upbeat music pulsed from a speaker beside Two Tides Brewing Company. The brewery featured their signature drinks for those of age. Benjamin Keiser, an electric guitarist for the band, and drummer, Stan Ray, set up their instruments. “Our band name?” asked Keiser. “The Eric Daubert Band.” He smiled, looked to Ray, and said, “The Daubert Band? It’s a name your-own-band sort of thing.” By 2:30 p.m., frontman, Eric Daubert and five-string bassist, Ryan Kelly had taken their places. The band’s precise handwork and bluesy sound created a comfortable atmosphere.
The casual outdoor gathering was both kid and pet-friendly. SCAD students and local families mixed to enjoy the event’s variety of offerings. Children decorated the avenue with pastel chalk from the Kid Zone drawing station. At a picnic table, a family played Candy Land over their lunch from the Prowl food truck. Prowl provides a restaurant experience on the move with a burger-centric menu that’s made equally for carnivores and herbivores. They offer beef or veggie burgers, accompanied by sides fried to a golden crisp which aim to engage everyone’s taste.
The Market highlighted a local snack purveyor, Analog Public House. Analog’s stand enticed attendees with fresh baked Bavarian pretzels, salted chocolate chip cookies
Co-owner and baker Meghan Eberly described Analog as a two-prong mission; treats at the Market are just one side of their business. Their establishment is still in the works but will center around unplugged connection. The future space forgoes phones in favor of focusing on quality food, drinks and company. Until the opening day arrives, Analog gets acquainted with the community by taking advantage of opportunities like the market.
A yellow chalk hopscotch board extended to Lovelane Designs. The inspired children’s designs are handmade and screen printed in Starland. “We have a good group of seamstresses in the community that sew for us,” said Lane Huerta, founder and owner Lovelane Designs. “A lot of my team members are SCAD grads. Except for a couple of seamstresses, everybody comes from SCAD. It just happens that way.”
To keep up with the next DeSoto Street Market visit their Facebook page.
