Corinth, MS ‘Goes Green’ with Artist Market

March 20, 2012 - PRLog -- A place where everybody knows somebody, Corinth’s Green Market channels the spirit of “Cheers” and welcomes newcomers and regulars, alike, during its April-October season. Set in a sleepy Southern town on the Mississippi/Tennessee border known for its rural roots, local dining experiences and Civil War history and landmarks, the open-air market features homemade items, produce, pottery, woodwork, arts and crafts one Saturday a month come rain or shine.

“I love the Green Market – small town atmosphere – big spirit,” says Linda Thrasher, whose dog-treat business, Maggie’s Treats, thrives. “I also enjoy the outdoor setting whether it's 105 degrees or rain or cold. We always take extra chairs for our space and people have come to know that they can come and sit and visit with us at any time.”

Beneath the surface, the Green Market at the Corinth Depot provides more than a chance to shop. It’s an opportunity for community-members, giving local farmers, gardeners, artisans and craftsman a chance to sell wares in an open-air, grassroots setting while encouraging local products and stimulating the economy.

“My husband and I moved to Corinth in the summer of 2009 when we both lost our jobs in Memphis,” adds Thrasher, joking that since both her and her husband’s parents were born and raised in Corinth, they may be related to half of Alcorn County.

Looking to supplement social security income without having to leave home to work an 8-5 job, Thrasher was inspired by her adopted yellow lab, Maggie, and her niece’s suggestion to utilize her culinary training to cater to canines. “Since our first Green Market our sales have gone from 20 boxes of dog treats to over 100 boxes each time.  We have probably sold 1,500 boxes at the Green Market since the beginning and each year our sales increase.”

Quality control is strict, too. Maggie’s Treats have been taste-tested by the couple’s Bloodhound, Molly, Golden Retrievers, Shelby and Shiloh, their Black Lab, BB, Maggie – and even Linda’s husband.  This year Maggie’s Treats will add the option of buying the treats by the pound for customers who want 10 boxes at a time.

Crafter, Glenda Newcomb, hails from Iuka, Mississippi and brings her embroidered items, tin can flowers, wooden red birds that fly, bird houses, wind chimes and clothes for little girls to Market. “I look forward to Green Market each month. I like that everything is homemade and that everyone is treated the same.  Everyone is very nice and has become great friends.”

Newly graduated with a Bachelor of Science and Art from University of North Alabama, Jessica Humphreys joined the Green Market in October 2010 after toying with jewelry making. Nervous about putting her artwork on display for sale, Humphreys ended up meeting success and has since gained a loyal following of customers. “Since then, I have developed my craft booth into a small business, JH Artwear & Designs, consisting of handcrafted wire jewelry, hand-rolled fabric accessories and whimsical canvas paintings.”

You can find JH Artwear & Designs at markets and festivals all over the South, as well as in over 10 boutiques and retail locations.

“Even though I've branched out to other markets, I still try to leave my calendar open on the first Saturday of every month for Green Market. It has certainly grown a lot since I first started, but it still continues to hold that charm and local town feel. I know you get to interact with customers at any market, but there is nothing like the feeling of gaining support and love from your hometown.”

This April, Traci & Mom Treats & Gifts celebrate their third year at the Green Market. The duos’ homegrown jams and jellies are a hit with customers and each market at least one or two new flavors or products are unveiled, keeping repeat customers adding to their got-to-try-it list.

“I enjoy meeting new crafters and customers, along with seeing our wonderful repeat customers.  Mom enjoys visiting with friends and old co-workers, along with anyone else she sees…Mom is quite the talker,” jokes Traci Underwood.

Crafters for years, Traci found it increasingly hard to compete with the big businesses that could sell products so much cheaper and decided to call it quits. But when she found herself unemployed in March 2010, after 19 years at a local printing company, Underwood and her retired mom starting thinking about their own jam and jelly line.

“We also decided to come up with some types of craft items to sell,” she says. “So we put it in overdrive and began crafting and jam-making daily while my children were at school.”  

This year, Traci & Mom Treats & Gifts plan to push more yummy jams and jellies, along with homemade zucchini and banana nut breads, gooey bars, and other taste tempting yummy sweets.  

“Mom and I will also be unveiling our newest creation of dip and various mix packets, new fruit glazes and BBQ rubs.  I love to bake and invent new sweets and jam flavors.  Each year our fruit and garden crops help to make sure we have plenty of homemade fruits and veggies for our product line.”

A story of success – the essence of the Green Market, Traci & Mom Treats & Gifts now has lots of customers locally as well as in various states, as far away as Oregon and New York.  Friend them on Facebook where new product flavors are posted alongside a schedule of events the company will be attending.

If you go:
The Green Market at the Corinth Depot takes place at the Crossroads Museum at the Historic Corinth Depot, Corinth Area Tourism office and C.A.R.E. Honor Garden located at 215 North Fillmore Street in historic downtown Corinth, Mississippi. Catch Corinth’s Green Market on one of the following 2012 dates. The Market is open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. in April and 8 a.m.-2 p.m. on the remaining dates:
Saturday, April 7; Held in conjunction with Crossroads Chili Cook-Off, http://www.xroadsfest.com/
Saturday, May 5
Saturday, June 2
Saturday, July 7
Saturday, August 4
Saturday, September 1
Saturday, October 6  
RED Green Market (the holiday market) in November

MEDIA CONTACT: Kristy White, 1-800-748-9048
Corinth Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
http://www.Corinth.net

Captioned and credited hi- and low-res images available

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One hundred fifty years ago, sleepy Southern Corinth, located in Alcorn County along the Mississippi/Tennessee border, was the site of a critical Civil War battle: The Battle of Corinth, which took place six months after the Battle of Shiloh. For a town whose Civil War-era population hovered at 400, the reality of 16,000 Union and Confederate soldiers lost in a single day was inconceivable; for it to be occupied by Union Troops for a year and a half was astonishing. Today, Corinth has grown into a small town whose landscape has changed very little with the passage of time. It is a place where unabashed patriotism is a source of local pride, where folks wave to friend and stranger alike, gather at the Courthouse Square, stroll the historic downtown after dark and dine at local restaurants whose owners' names they know. It's where visitors find Pickin' on the Square all year-long - and welcoming brand name hotels, as well as an elegant country inn and unique in-town guest lodging.