SUNDAY AT THE URBAN MARKET
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| PHOTOGRAPH BY DENISE BLASOR |
Draw a thick red circle around Dec. 5 on your calendar: that's the date for the next Urban Market at Ventana al Mar park in Condado. You'll find natural and organic products, reasonable prices, and an upbeat vibe. A visit won't disappoint.
This colorful market connects consumers with farmers and entrepreneurs from around the island in a convivial atmosphere that allows the public to engage with these small business owners and learn about their products in a friendly, personal manner.
Launched last December, it is a joint collaboration between the Puerto Rico Agriculture Department and the Economic Development Bank for Puerto Rico. "We want people to get used to asking for local products. We want them to know (these products) and ask for them," said EDB President Lizzie Rosso Tridas.
Held on the first Sunday of every month, the market takes place under two giant white tents set up on the grounds of La Ventana al Mar, the park next door to the Condado Beach Hotel. About 30 to 40 businesses participate each time and, depending on the weather, the activity draws between 3,000 and 5,000 visitors, according to Rosso.
Entrepreneurs in attendance may vary from one month to another but all have one thing in common: all run small businesses, some of which already have a proven track record while others are still trying to establish a foothold in the competitive marketplace. Those who showed up at the market on Nov. 7 brought along a potpourri of products, many of them made by hand like the colorful soaps that Marisabel Román and business partner Lucy Cintrón have been crafting since January when they kicked off their eco-friendly venture De Hojas following the loss of their regular jobs. Or the tantalizing cakes and ginger cookies prepared by Cookie Couture, which Madeleine Muñoz started four years ago.
The goods displayed like pirate treasure on tables set around the perimeter of the two tents encompassed baked goods, marmalades, spices, condiments, fresh bread, liqueurs, coffee, tea, sangria, beauty and health products. Produce was practically absent that day, with the exception of fresh pineapples and plump hydroponic tomatoes. This is one area Rosso said needs building up. At least one of the businesses in attendance represented a totally new type of venture in Puerto Rico: cheese making. "This had never been done here," said Wanda Otero, a microbiologist who teamed up with chemical engineer Rosa Avalo to launch Quesos Vacanegra, a company devoted to producing artisanal cheeses. Otero is keeping her day job for now, she said with a smile that hinted at a potential career switch should the venture turn out to be a success.
Plants and flowers rounded out the offering. Nursery owners and plant growers brought the best from their orchards, especially herbs and fruit plants for which there is a lot of demand these days as the recession prods people to reduce their expenses by growing their own food. While ornamental plants are stagnant, "everything having to do with home gardens sells very fast," said Deborah Rojas of Jardines de Borinquen, which operates a nursery in Juncos. Herboristeria Loma Linda made starting such a garden a lot easier by selling a diminutive six-pack collection of herbs including Genovese basil, purple basil, Greek oregano, thyme, Italian parsley, and lemon basil. The price: $4.
Entrepreneurs had nothing but high praise for the activity. "It is excellent," said Tita González de Fenn, who sells a line of gourmet vinaigrettes through her eponymous Tita's Homemade, Inc. "People are looking for more natural products and are more aware about buying locally. This type of activity gives gastronomic artisans the opportunity to present their products," she said. Tita's products also sell at Walmart and Amigo Supermarkets. "The market is a way to introduce products to local distributors and proves that quality products are available in Puerto Rico. It's a promotional tool, " said Ivette Vargas, creator of the popular Montes Albó Chimichurri condiment which she began producing out of her own home in 2005 and now distributes through La Famosa.
With so much to choose from, the only problem for visitors at the market was making up their minds about what to buy. On another level, it was heartening to see the breath and talent of Puerto Rican entrepreneurs. You could see from the care they put into labels, product packaging and presentation, how passionate they are about what they do. In addition to free samples by participating businesses, visitors who bought products at the market were gifted bright yellow bags, emblazoned with the Urban Market logo, to carry their purchases. It made it easy, while walking along the Condado, to spot all the people who had made a stop-over at the market.
URBAN MARKET IS HELD ON THE FIRST SUNDAY OF EVERY MONTH
HOURS: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
"Nothing is too small to know and nothing too big to attempt." William Van Horne
A SIMPLE TIP
Enhance the taste of fresh milk by transferring it from its paper or plastic container into a glass bottle or jar. You will be surprised by the noticeable difference in taste.
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| Photograph by Denise Blasor |
"One ought, every day at least, to hear a little song, read a good poem, see a fine picture, and if it were possible, to speak a few reasonable words." Goethe
Caught our Attention
In a world where just about everything is disposable, it is refreshing to see a new product on the market that advertises itself as "reusable." That's the case of Scotch Reusable Strips, a product for hanging lightweight items that can be reused again and again. According to the product information, you can even "refresh stickiness" of the strips by washing them with soapy water. The double sided adhesive strips can be used for hanging and securing artwork, photos, lists, cards and other light items. It sells for $3.79 at Walgreens.
Duly Noted:
-- Concalma (Calmly), a retailer based in Old San Juan, has a simple business philosophy to fit its laid-back company name: be gentle on the environment by making functional cotton bags and support local industry by using available material resources and contracting a co-op to manufacture its products. For Christmas, the company has unleashed a colorful rainbow of bags, pouches, and totes with the trademark bi-color shoulder strap. Check out those polka dots! As an added incentive to internet buyers in Puerto Rico and the U.S., the company will throw in free shipping for purchases through Nov. 30. Prices: from $20 to $48. http://shopconcalma.com
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