Sweetser community gathers for monthly marketplace

On Friday, Sept. 13 the Sweetser community participated in a newly-adopted tradition that unites local talent and residents in a monthly marketplace. 

Sweetser Second Fridays began in May 2024 as an opportunity for local businesses to showcase their products and services while providing a space for the community to gather in their own town.

On the second Friday of each month, Sweetser United Methodist Church opens their property for local vendors and musicians to set up booths. 

The monthly gathering offers food trucks, local vendors, art, produce, live music and games to guests.

The event was coordinated by Hive Mind Market. The group aims to provide Marion and surrounding areas with an opportunity for a marketplace shopping experience.

Rebecca Zirkle is the founder and owner of Hive Mind Market. Zirkle said that there is significance in hosting marketplaces in various different community sizes.  

“They (Sweetser) have makers and bakers and artists and creators, too, who need to network and connect,” Zirkle said. 

Hive Mind Market regularly hosts Hive Mind Saturdays at Kohl’s in Marion, where a local woodworker travels to set up his booth. 

Charlie Finster has been woodworking for over 30 years. His handcrafted pieces are sold at Wood N Stuff by Charlie, ranging from birdhouses to rocking horses. 

Finster connected with Zirkle about the possibility of bringing Hive Mind Market to Sweetser. 

“I saw an opening here because there wasn’t a whole lot of activity for the community,” Finster said. “We decided that we would try it here once a month and do the second Fridays.”

One contrast between Second Fridays and Hive Mind Saturdays is the addition of live music and food trucks. 

“Because of a license agreement that I do have with Kohl’s, they didn’t allow us to have that,” Zirkle said. “That’s been a great perk of being here.” 

Finster and his wife attend Sweetser United Methodist Church along with church member Robert Mendoza. 

Mendoza said he enjoys the conversations with people at Sweetser Second Fridays. 

“It is opening up our property to bring people together,” Mendoza said. “We have chairs out in the middle. I’ve seen people sit there and eat and converse and really look like they’re enjoying themselves.”

Hive Mind Market’s final outdoor event for the year will be held on Oct. 11 at Sweetser United Methodist Church.