The Biz Foundry takes a new approach to highlight and celebrate local entrepreneurs
COOKEVILLE – The Biz Foundry, in partnership with the Cumberland Area Investment Corporation, WCTE, StoneCom Media, and other community partners, is launching the area’s first ever Made Here Market. This celebration of local makers and businesses is free to the public and takes place on Saturday, April 27 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. along Cedar Avenue in Cookeville.
Made Here Market is the perfect weekend activity for locals this spring, offering a chance to interact with the actual artists and makers behind some fantastic products available right here in the Upper Cumberland. Every product available for purchase at The Market is made locally – from candles to hand-printed fabric to ballpoint pens, or even armchairs. Artists will be offering live demos inside The Biz Foundry’s event space, local food trucks will be showcasing their fare, and the vibrant festival atmosphere will be capped off by live music from local musicians throughout the event. Children can enjoy meeting Clifford, making crafts, tie dying t- shirts, and jamming with pound sticks.
Cookeville Higher Education Campus hosts their Earth Day event on April 27 as well, and the two events have partnered together to offer a free community shuttle between one another throughout the day, sponsored by Remax One.
Because the Market is a celebration of local entrepreneurs, The Biz Foundry is highlighting our locally owned storefront businesses in the fun as well; 300 Made Here Market tote bags, designed by TTU Student Haley Smith and printed by Cookeville’s Old Town T-Shirt Co., will be available for purchase at the Market ($10). Each bag is filled with coupons, discounts, and products from businesses that are locally owned and operated. Each bag also has a special Scavenger Hunt card; those who purchase a Market tote and participate in the scavenger hunt will be eligible for the grand prize basket of products from area entrepreneurs valued at over $800.
The heart behind this entire Market event lies in a love for this region and a desire to see it flourish. The Biz Foundry and all of its Made Here Market partners know that by showcasing our entrepreneurs, the local economies are boosted (plus they give our towns pride-of-place, something unique to be proud of).
After hosting several workshops and community events, including some very successful Etsy workshops, Biz Foundry president Jeff Brown felt confident that there are very talented makers and innovators in all fourteen counties, and is excited to see Made Here Market give that opportunity to showcase some.
“This really started as a simple idea after one of our Etsy workshops, but has grown into something truly amazing,” said Brown. “I cannot believe the amount of support The Market has already gotten from the community – we are blown away!”
The Made Here Market will be Saturday, April 27 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on North Cedar Avenue in Cookeville. For more information, visit www.thebizfoundry.org/made-here-market.
The Biz Foundry, partnered with LaunchTN, is Upper Cumberland’s entrepreneur center. This non-profit organization is designed to act as a catalyst for entrepreneurship and innovation in the U.C., providing a variety of resources for entrepreneurs and business owners of all types andstages. This includes consultations, workshops, office spaces, and more. For more information about The Biz Foundry, visit www.thebizfoundry.org.
