One of the area’s burgeoning entrepreneurs has made his name by hosting events themed around local, homemade goods.
Chris Graham is the man behind the Bossier Farmer’s Market and Bossier Night Market. His new path was an outgrowth of his history of always having a side job.
“I haven’t been able to scratch that itch of going in 8-5. I was able to figure out how to start a business and keep my day job to the point where this venture took up so much time, I made that leap of faith.”
So the question is: How did Chris build a follow through the selling of local, homemade goods?
“There was such a need for that, when we opened there were 10-12,000 people there. It was clear that was something people were missing and what they needed.”
The Bossier Farmer’s Market, hosted free at Pierre Bossier Mall, has space for up to 200 vendors. That number includes farmers with fresh fruits and vegetables, makers, hobbyists, baked goods, entrepreneurs, crafters, honey, handmade soap, artists, restaurants, food trucks with Louisiana cooking, and more. The Market is held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. each Saturday, April 1 through November 25.
“There are so many farmers, growers, and vendors with goods they want to sell year round. We have such a warm spring and fall that farmers can plant, grow, and harvest earlier,” Chris said as to why the market has such a long season.
But he pointed out the market is different every week. And one way he keeps that freshness is through things like adding the Night Market.
He held the first Night Market last December and saw at least 15,000 people on a Friday night. The idea came to him after traveling to Asia and seeing markets that would pop up after dark and then get taken down before daybreak. The Bossier Night Market saw a festive atmosphere with Christmas lights and differed from the regular market with an “anything goes” attitude.
The next Night Market is set for Dec. 15 and 16 from 5-9 p.m.