DRIFTWOOD — Growing up in Driftwood, Market Coordinator Madison Shipp is familiar with the struggle of not having convenient places nearby to shop. So, to combat this, she is starting the first Hays City Market Days, which will begin March 29.
“[I] always wanted some place for locals to be able to shop because everybody always has to go either to Austin or New Braunfels or Wimberley,” said Shipp. “Which is fine, but it’s fun just to have some place more local and close for everybody to get together and meet their neighbors.”
The name “Hays City Market Days” is pulled from history, Shipp said.
“That corner [where the market is located], in the early 1900s, used to be called Hays City, Texas. There was a church, library, blacksmith, there was even a newspaper,” said Shipp. “So, it’s kind of like a little ghost town … We like to play into the history.”
The market, located at 8750 West FM 150 in Driftwood, is surrounded by three local businesses: Whiskey Ridge, The Mean Eyed Cat Bar and Hays City Hideout Coffee House.
“I would love to eventually get some nonprofit booths, but really, all of the businesses on site, I’m hoping the market will benefit to bring more [traffic] to their businesses and all three of those businesses donate back to the community in huge ways,” she said.
Currently, the market has space for approximately 69 vendors, with room to grow in the future, and it will offer everything from baked goods to fresh produce to home decor to books and more.
“So, there’s one vendor that’s going to be selling succulents and different cute little pots. There’s several that they make all handmade cutting boards and handmade wood art for your walls,” said Shipp. “One of the ones I’m super excited about [is someone who] makes all homemade sourdough and homemade bagels [and] cinnamon rolls.”
Another vendor that’s signed up is Books of Wimberley. Run by Nicolle Reid, Books of Wimberley is a pop-up bookstore that travels around to different markets and events in Central Texas.
There will also be live music during the market, played by local musicians.
Shipp hopes to stand apart from other markets through the selection of vendors: "This [market is] more local … I’m very particular about who I accept, vendor wise. I have to really be in love with their product and it has to be really good quality. So, a lot of these different markets you’ll go to, there’s several different kinds of one particular [vendor] ... There’s like five or eight people that are all selling the same thing. I have a cap on the amount of vendors I allow that sell the same items.”
The goal, Shipp said, alongside offering a place for people to sell their wares, is to harbor a connection between residents and neighbors.
“Especially after [the COVID-19 pandemic], I feel like a lot of people lost that connection. So, it’ll be fun and exciting to get everybody in the community together and involved,” said Shipp.
The market will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., the last Saturday of every month. The first market will be March 29. For more information about Hays City Market Days, visit www.hayscitymarketdays.com.
