Saturday, May 16, will mark the return of the Riverside Arts Market (RAM), although it will be virtual-only for now.
For the first time, many of RAM’s artists and vendors will be selling their wares on the market’s Facebook page from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Related: Local, State, And National Coronavirus Coverage
“You'll be able to go to the Facebook event and make a comment on a post and a product and that'll put you right in touch with the maker and you'll be able to work out the payment details and the shipping, and a lot of our makers are offering free deliveries in the Jacksonville area,” said RAM Senior Manager John Silveira on WJCT News' First Coast Connect with Melissa Ross this week.
Silveira said the vendors have been struggling since the pandemic hit, and he’s excited by potentially continuing the virtual arts market even after the physical arts market resumes.
“We could do special events online for Mother's Day, or a special event during the holiday,” said Silveira.
RAM has been working with the city of Jacksonville on plans to resume the physical arts market under the Fuller Warren Bridge, he said.
“We're hopeful that we'll be up and running within the next three or four weeks with the essential businesses. And if we can add other makers in there and do it safely, we'd like to do so,” he said.
Related: Listen to the full interview with Silveira
On the virtual side, Silveira is hopeful that selling online could end up being a 24/7 expansion to make RAM shopping more convenient. But for now, it will be held only from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Facebook on Saturdays.
List Of Vendors Scheduled For Saturday's In-Person RAM
Beverages
Moonbooch Kombucha
Pura Bean Coffee Company
Tea Nation
Young Buck Coffee Roasters
Bath and Body Products
ATJ Natural Insect Spray
Body & Soul
Meadow Green Farms
Dairy, Farmers, and Honey:
CA Alvarez Farms
Cross Creek Honey
Glades Ridge Goat Dairy
Kravey Gardens
Queen Bee Company
Food Accessories
Beeskeeper Wraps
Pet Products
Bubba’s Bistro
Pooch Pantry Foods
Prepared Foods
904 Burgers
Cely’s Filipino Food
Fresh From Yianni’s Kitchen
Fusion Food Truck
Island Girl Seafood and Nomi’s Cheese Bar
JC’s Daily Bread
La Bodega Original
Little Black Box
Mother Truckin Pizza
Old West Kettle Korn
Olive Affairs
Olive My Pickle
Our Greek Corner
Seeductive Foods
Umami
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Iona Creative Design
K’s Got You Covered
Manifest Distillery (selling hand sanitizer)
Bill Bortzfield can be reached at bbortzfield@wjct.org, 904-358-6349 or on Twitter at @BortzInJax.
