We had our first day at the Peoria Riverfront Saturday Market. Brian and I felt it would be good exposure for JAVA & Co. and we signed up for the entire market season - 17 weeks.
When family was in town, we visited the market a couple of years ago and it has even blossomed since then. The market has such a wonderful group of vendors. So many different FRESH items to choose from in one location. Plus, local artisits, jewelry, incredible vibrant floral arrangements -- all brought in to share each Saturday morning from 8:00 am to Noon on the Riverfront. And...Free Parking. A nice morning to spend out with your family, walking the dog, and picking up great finds to use in the upcoming week. Truly, a shopping treasure in our own backyard of Central Illinois. How refreshing!
This particular Saturday, a live "swing" jazz band was playing. It was great! Such a pleasant environment, the morning passes by so quickly. Although, our first morning didn't start out all sunshine and daisies. Before the market opened, as we were setting up - the sky opened up and we got drenched...not once, not twice, but three times! And then came the wind...good times! The forecast had said thunderstorms were expected and the clouds DID look a bit ominous as we drove up, but it was our first opening morning. We were thinking positive...positive it wouldn't happen to us...
In any event, our sign was a bit mottled from the rain. Water was dripping off of our scalps and off of our chins, some of our product tags looked more like "watercolor" art then product tags and yet in spite of the wet start - we had a truly splendid day! You may be thinking to yourself, they need a canopy cover. We had one this time, believe it or not. The rain came down so hard, it rained through the fabric. Waterproof it you say? YES, before next weekend, that is exactly what we are going to do!
Because our signature syrups are a new product idea, it was wonderful to talk with and share with those that stopped by our 'lil ' Syrup Cabana'. All new faces, local, out of city and out of staters. We received a wonderful response to our product samples. We prepared samples of our Original syrup in small FDA approved, sealed "test tubes". Clean, quick, effective. It worked beautifully. Our syrup is a unique product and no matter how much we describe it, the proof is in the pudding, so to speak. Once you taste it, you get it, you understand it, and then, you fall in love with it. I suppose we should have a warning label that reads something like, "WARNING: Don't try this syrup, unless you are prepared to NOT be able to live without it for the rest of your natural born life." ; )
If you're in the area, the Peoria Riverfront Market is definitely a MUST STOP BY place every Saturday from 8:00 am to Noon. And if you do stop by, look for our tan 'Syrup Cabana'. We would love to meet you!
Eat well, live well!
As always, you can order online at www.javaandco.com. We ship to all 50 states.
