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Guests wait in line at a food truck.
On an unusually chilly March morning, though the clouds tried to dampen people’s spirits, the sun came out and the Hidden Gem Trade Days of Mount Pleasant shined a light on small businesses and local crafters.
The event coordinator, Jessica Hanna, says the Hidden Gem Trade Days is about to hit a year and she couldn’t be more excited to see the turnout. Hanna says “I think this month is our biggest show that I've had since I started. Last April, I think we started with 20 vendors. We have 45. December is when I opened up the building for inside vendors. I have a waitlist for that.”
The Hidden Gem showcased a variety of products. From jewelry to clothes, homemade lotions and potions, even a skull with a glow-in-the-dark brain made of resin.
Glen Benbrook, the crafter of ‘Resinate’ with Nonna’s Place, says he’s been honing his skill with resin art for nearly two years. He says his wife bought him all the gear and after three months, he did his first vendor show. After much practice, Benbrook says he’s “expanded from dominoes and chessboards to doing skulls, resin bowls, and hairpins.”
Of course, the food at the Hidden Gem is the highlight for many visitors. Mini-Pancakes MP was among the food vendors to show what they can do. Antonio Valdovinos, who owns the shop with his wife, says “the outcome is amazing. Not a lot of people heard about Mini-Pancakes MP. They’re amazed and intrigued. They’re used to normal-size pancakes, so seeing something mini and delicious– who can resist?”
So whether you are looking for something unique to give a friend or just a trinket for yourself, Hidden Gem Trade Days will have everything you could want– or perhaps something you didn’t even know you wanted.
“We like to have fun,” Hanna says, “I think everyone here is having fun. And I think it's special that we do have a lot of customers, not just for the vendors, of course– I'm thankful for them, but the customers that come out and support all of these vendors, I'm super thankful for them too. I just think it's special for everybody to come together and just, you know, have fun.”
The Hidden Gem Trade Days will continue every second Saturday of the month, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The next Hidden Gem is April 13. The event is free to enter, but bring cash or card to support local businesses. The Hidden Gem can be located on the I-30 East frontage road, across the overpass from Big Tex Trailers.