The first “Valley Market Place” in downtown Ansonia drew about 75 visitors and 10 vendors from the Valley and surrounding communities Wednesday.
The market place will run from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on **most Wednesdays through Sept. 16 at Veterans’ Park next to Ansonia City Hall on Main Street.
The market place was the brainchild of Ansonia Mayor David S. Cassetti. He was pleased to see a steady stream of people browsing at the debut event.
“I thought it would be nice in the summer to get everybody together to sell (their items),” he said.
A goal was to get more people downtown in the evening, the mayor said.
“I wanted to do this for residents,” Cassetti said. “I wanted to get everybody downtown.”
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For some vendors, such as Maxcenia Brown, the market place was a way to get acclimated to Ansonia.
Brown recently moved to Ansonia and was selling gift baskets, jewelry and handbags with her sister, Minnie Ings, of Ansonia.
“This is a good idea,” Brown said. “You get to meet people. l just met the mayor. The people here are awesome.”
Longtime Ansonia resident Phyllis Hyde was browsing the vendor tables, which held handmade jewelry and accessories, tie-dyed shirts, crafts, pet items, and baked goods.
Hyde said the market place is something the city needed.
“I am Ansonia all the way and this is Ansonia all the way,” Hyde said.
Griffin Hospital Valley Parish Nurse Maggie Sessa was on hand to offer information about breast wellness and summer safety tips. She promoted a presentation she will give on Advanced Care Planning at 1 p.m. July 16 at Seymour Senior Center.
Recorded music was provided by Dani Soto. Live music is planned for future market places.
Vendors on hand Wednesday included Bowtique by Alexa, Selfish Delights, Penelope’s Web, Beads by Alyssa, Griffin Hospital Parish Nursing and Community Outreach, CT Blessed Creations, Jamie’s Hangers’ handmade earrings, M & M Productions’ gift baskets, jewelry and more, and Irene Hudobenko’s Chance’s Meow cat items.
“Mayor Cassetti had a good idea and we ran with it,” said Ansonia Cultural Commission member Rich DiCarlo.
“Our inaugural market was pretty successful. We’ve observed where there is room for improvement (for future market places).”
**Cassetti said vendors will not be on hand during the Wednesday evening summer concerts in the park, except for those vendors selling fruits and vegetables. Concerts sponsored by the city’s Cultural Commission will be held on July 8 and 22 and Aug. 5, 19, and 26.
