Along with the established stores lining much of Main Street in downtown Escalon, a special Saturday showcase also saw mobile vendors bring a wide variety of businesses to town.
Gather Around Main served up a spring edition on May 3 and those strolling the street to visit the businesses had access to a number of shopping opportunities.
From the health and wellness programs at EscalonFit to the clothing and unique finds at Pencie & Ginger, there were several types of businesses highlighted. Also coming in were such mobile vendors as Lorina’s Edible Garden with her ‘Traveling Plants’ trailer, the recently established Papa’s Pour House mobile bar and the Tacos de Nieve mobile food business.
Tina Tadlock of Salida had her Papa’s Pour House parked along Main for the event.
“This is my first year with my business … it’s a mobile bar service; you can rent us for weddings, graduations, parties, at whatever venue you have,” Tadlock explained.
She was offering a couple of different beverage options on Saturday, and said though the morning was brisk and breezy, it turned out to be a nice sunny afternoon, with a steady stream of visitors.
“I’m here just for marketing, get my name out, talk to people in the community, hand out some business cards and so far, it’s going really good,” Tadlock said.
At Inspired Designs by Kathy, in a storefront on Main, owner Kathy Van Vliet was glad to take part in the showcase, encouraging visitors to support downtown.
“I have home and garden décor, a clothing line for women and now babies as well,” she said. “I’m participating because I’m part of Main Street and we love the community.”
She also said the Gather Around Main is the perfect opportunity for people to see what the local shops have to offer, whether it’s flowers, fitness, food or some useful or unusual items.
“It’s fun to meet all the new clientele but also there’s a lot of repeat clientele that comes in as well, so just the friendships we’ve made and to reconnect each time they come in,” Van Vliet added of what she enjoys the most about being part of the downtown business corridor. “I love home décor and decorating, so (I enjoy) helping people out with any help they need with gifts or their home.”
The May 3 event ran from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and was billed as a chance to “stroll, shop and connect with friends and neighbors as we celebrate everything that makes our small town special.”
There have been some prior Gather events, which typically spill over into a couple of side streets in addition to Main, and the success of the gatherings would seem to indicate there will be more in the future.
