Newberg's Saturday Market
by Robert G. Leslie, Editor-in-Chief
It was raining hard on both the morning of Saturday, Feb. 2 and March 1, when the Newberg Saturday Market kicked off in the atrium of the Edwards-Holman Science Center at George Fox University. The indoor location did not keep people away, though. Groups wandered past table after table of hand-crafted goods, food and drink, and artwork while it drizzled outside. The market is the result of George Fox's senior business capstone class, put together by a close six seniors: Tyler Behrens, Andrew Herr, Adam Peaker, Donny Miller, Matt Simpson, and Brent Satern.
"We're really glad we didn't choose to do this outside," laughed Behrens. "The holiday bazaar has done really well in here in the atrium. We've been getting a good mix of students and community members."
"We're really blessed to have this location," said Herr. "We hope that this is a good excuse for people to get out of the house on a rainy day."
Among the 33 vendors at the market was Shannon Myers, a sophomore at Newberg High School, selling prints of her pencil sketches of a horse and roses, along with hand-crafted fabric cards. Supported by her mother, Hope, the two show off her framed artwork to passers-by. After high school, she wants to attend an art college.
"I'm taking private lessons right now," she explains. "I do sketches, but I've also worked at adding color with Photoshop. I'm thinking about trying watercolors too."
Also at the market was Portland resident, Rebecca Minifie, who will be moving to Newberg in the near future. Her table is covered with a wide array of "herbal cosmetics," featuring everything from soaps and body butter to aromatherapy mists. Minifie makes it all in her kitchen for her small business, Angelica Herbs, and has been selling her products at small markets in the area.
"I'm glad for this opportunity," she said. She heard about the market through a sign at a local coffee shop and called to reserve a spot. "I think this is a great thing," said Minifie. "And I hope it's successful."
George Fox students took part in the market as well as visiting to shop. The Campus Music Project purchased a table to sell their compilation album of songs by student artists. Also present were students Kristine Liptak and Shelly Marquardt selling baked goods to support their upcoming Juniors Abroad trips to foreign countries. Together, they're splitting the profits of their business venture.
"So far, we're doing well," said Liptak. "I've got to go and get some more food from the car."
Adam Peaker, one of the students behind the event, said that the event will probably continue to expand in the future.
"There were a lot of vendors that were not able to make it today," he said. In the future, the event could grow to the building's upper levels or even outside, weather permitting.
The group said they were pleased with the number of vendors and shoppers interested in the event.
"We worked really hard, and it's good to see it all come together," said Andrew Herr. "We'd like to see it continue past our time at Fox, if possible."
"Hopefully this will be an ongoing thing," agreed Brenda Headrick, a resident of Newberg. She was there at the market visiting a friend who had purchased a table there, but intends to be at the market next month with a table for her home and garden party business. She said that she hopes that the market expands as proposed and affirmed that the market is a good way of connecting the campus with the rest of town.
"It involves Fox more in the community," she said, which was one of group's goals.
"We wanted this to be a way to bring the Newberg community and George Fox community together," said Peaker. So far, it looks like the Newberg Saturday Market is off to a great start.
The market runs on the first Saturday of each month for the rest of the spring semester. Vendors can purchase a table for $15 and a 15 percent commission on sales. For more information, email nsmarket@gmail.com.