Small-business vendors attract customers at Gary street fair
Colorful balloons decorated vendor tents and tables drawing attention to the first Summer Fest event in Gary’s 4th District hosted by Councilwoman Tai Adkins.
City workers, elected officials and residents visited the vendor tables Aug. 8 that included everything from jewelry to grooming products, drinks and food.
The aroma of tacos wafting through the air led people to Fresh Grill run by Herman Miller and Jarret Ward. The pair were dishing out chicken and steak tacos and bowls. The pair were regulars at last year’s farmers market in the city.
Miller said they have been keeping busy despite the novel coronavirus pandemic even though many events have been canceled.
“We are portable to we can go to different spots and help communities get good meals,” Miller said.
Yvette Thomas, a 4th District resident, said it was nice to be able to get out and do something.
“We haven’t had that many opportuntiies,” she said.
She was rummaging through bins of fashion earrings offered in one of the booths, handing her finds over to be bagged.
“I almost have to go home and reload,” Thomas said as she paid for her earrings. “I have cake, earrings, a drink.”
Terry Stanton and Oliver Gilliam were among those who wanted to support Adkins’ efforts.
“This young lady is doing an awesome job. She might get things moving in her district,” Stanton said.
The men said they were happy to see the small street fair scheduled to give residents an opportunity to shop and have some fun.
“It’s our city. We got to support her,” Gilliam said.
Councilwomen Linda Ba r n e s - C a l d we l l a n d Mary Brown were at the event, which also saw a visit from Democratic 1st District Congressional candidate Frank Mrvan.
Adkins was making the rounds to vendor tables, broadcasting their offerings on Facebook Live.
The councilwoman said she wanted to create an event that would help showcase the city’s small businesses. Twenty-five vendors signed up to participate. She also partnered with the farmers market and Lake County Eat Local for the event so residents could use SNAP or senior vouchers to purchase the fresh produce being offered.
“People always say there is nothing to do. I wanted to provide a marketplace for small businesses,” Adkins said.