Fourth Saturday Market Debuts in Gulfport

A photo of a man standing at a market stall with a large sign over it that reads "Beech Kombucha" in white letters with a brown background. — Beech Komucha owner AJ Marino. Photo by Larry Busby.

A photo of small brown pints of ice cream on a plaid table cloth with a sign in the background that reads "Churned Ice Cream." — Churned Ice Cream. Photo by Larry Busby.

A photo of a woman at a jewelry market stall smiling at the camera. — Cosmic Eye Creations Jessica Steele. Photo by Larry Busby.

A photo of a man in a market stall talking to a woman. — Photo by Larry Busby.

A photo of a man and a woman talking at a white market stall under a yellow sign that reads "Local Honey." — Honey Bee Creations. Photo by Larry Busby.

A man at a market stall under a sign that reads "Mane-iacs Lobster" — Mane-iacs Lobster owner Guy Cote. Photo by Larry Busby.

A table set up under an outdoor patio porch where a woman talks to a man with a young boy on his shoulders. — Mermaid Mercantile Paula Adams chats with a customer. Photo by Larry Busby.

Two women at a market stall smile at a camera under a sign that reads "The Best Thai Food" — Photo by Larry Busby.

A woman in glasses with a travel coffee mug smiles at the camera in front aof a market table near parked cars. — A happy customer at The Cheese Lodge. Photo by Larry Busby.

A woman organizes products at a market stall under a sign that reads "The Dunedin Candle Company" — The Dunedin Candle Co. owner Alexandria Prevatt. Photo by Larry Busby.

A table of artistic pottery bowls and a large bouquet of flowers. — Photo by Larry Busby.

The inaugural Fourth Saturday Fresh Market on Beach Boulevard on July 24 welcomed popular Tuesday vendors back to Gulfport. The market, organized by the Gulfport Merchants Chamber staff Colleen Murphy and Missy Gosselin, and GMC member and volunteer Maurice Loeb, takes place in addition to – not instead of – the Gulfport Tuesday Fresh Market. At least one new vendor – fresh lemonade, anyone? – joined the ranks of familiar faces lining downtown with fresh produce, meats and handmade items.

“Fourth Saturday brings Gulfport’s popular Tuesday market to people who work weekdays and otherwise miss the chance to shop from local, independently owned vendors,” Barbara Banno, president of the Gulfport Merchants Chamber of Commerce, told the Gabber.

While closed for much of the pandemic, the Gulfport Tuesday Fresh Market underwent staffing and organizational changes. These changes included a move towards vendors who make or grow their own wares, or who participate in Fair Trade, and extend to the Fourth Saturday, a GMC representative confirmed.

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