Diverse group of vendors set up for first South Highlands Market

A new open-air market is now open for locals showcasing unique offerings in the historic South Highlands neighborhood.

The South Highlands Summer Market is from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. every Friday evening through Aug. 8 at Mall St. Vincent, located at 1133 St. Vincent Avenue in Shreveport. The market is located in a large tent in outside the mall adjacent to the historic St. Vincent Academy. The market is free.

Mall St. Vincent hosts the market, showcasing the fresh and original works of local entrepreneurs of South Highlands. More the 20 vendors will sell locally grown fresh produce, handmade food products and specialty artisan crafted items. A seating area will allow shoppers to relax a spell while dining from food trucks and vendors and listening to live acoustic performances from local musicians.

“We have teamed up with Apex Events, a local event production company, to organize this weekly event that promises to be a unique experience for all who are looking for something fun and free to do on a Friday night,” Missy Heanue, vice president of marketing for Rouse Properties (owners of Mall St. Vincent), said. Other local sponsors include Shreveport Green and Garrison’s Home and Garden Showplace, who will provide the market’s trees and greenery and table centerpieces.

Vendors and performances will rotate weekly to create a new experience during the 10-week market. Vendors currently scheduled include Pa Honey (homemade candy and pralines), Tricia Stewart (Stewart’s Produce), Sweet Tees (limited edition Southern Girl T-shirt designs), Linda Gaston (hand-painted furniture), Tricia Hughes (Parisian inspired flocked home decor items), Gogreenly (vegetarian dishes) and many others.

“The South Highlands Summer Market is promoting local economy and where we live,” Jodie McJunkins, owner of Pa Honey, said. “It’s giving back something for everyone.”

Pa Honey Candy Company officially opened in November 2013. McJunkins grew up in South Highlands and it is where she learned to make her confections, pralines, from an old family recipe.

“We called our grandfather ‘Pa’, He’s who taught me to make pralines. And grandma was called ‘Honey,’” McJunkins said.

McJunkins is also the owner of area restaurants Cantina Laredo and Windrush Grill. She said she is excited about the opportunity to sell her treats in her community.

“It’s more than an area; it’s home. I love the thought of friends and family riding bikes to the market and sharing wares with neighbors,” she said. “It’s an old school, small town feel in the middle of the Mall St. Vincent parking lot. It’s energizing and something different. It’s a wholesome, happy and warm community feeling.”

Tricia Stewart, owner of ‘Stewart’s Produce,’ is also set to be a vendor in the market. “We sell peas, beans, vegetables and fruit. All of our produce is blanched and flash frozen, which slows the natural enzymes in the vegetables that cause loss of flavor, vitamins and texture,” Stewart said. “We also prepare salads and sauces using herbs and vegetables from our garden.”

Stewart has lived in South Highlands for six years where she sells her produce from her home. For seven years, she has participated in the Shreveport Farmers Market but said she is “beyond grateful to be a part of such a tremendous community event.”

“I always look forward to sharing our food with our community, but honestly what I’m looking most forward to is discovering new, local artisans,” Stewart said. “We have so many creative, soulful people in our community and I’m thrilled that South Highlands has created another opportunity for them to showcase their talent.”

Mall St. Vincent has been a pillar of the South Highlands since 1976. Its latest renovations began in 2013, which will modernize the appearance and add new retailers to the shopping center. The market is another way the shopping center supports the local economy and community.

“We are strongly committed to hosting a variety of family-friendly, communitybased activities like summer market as it further enhances the unparalleled shopping and social experience at Mall St. Vincent,” Heanue said.

“We are excited for Mall St. Vincent to serve as a central gathering place for the community and look forward to the market’s opening night later this week. We encourage those interested in the event to ‘like’ us on Facebook.”

Go to www.facebook.com/MallSt Vincent or www.mallstvincent.com.