Harrison Avenue Market
The 2nd Wednesday of Every Month 5-8pm
Beacon of Hope Resource Center recognized that it would take more than rebuilt homes to bring her neighbors back to Lakeview. Parallel residential and economic growth was essential for recovery. Neighborhood services and businesses needed to return as well. It became clear how to bring residents and businesses together - host a Marketplace!
August 17, 2007 was the date set for the first Harrison Avenue Marketplace, less than a year after the storm. The site selected was the parking lot of a closed grocery store on the Harrison Avenue business corridor, the heart of Lakeview. The only expectation for the Marketplace was the heat, since summer was still lingering and much of Lakeview was still vacant. However, 2,500 attendees arrived to enjoy the food, music, crafts, and most importantly, see and talk to other people. As attendees connected with friends and neighbors, it was the words that echoed throughout the night, "You're back now!"
Today, the Harrison Avenue Marketplace is a cornerstone of the Lakeview community. On the second Wednesday of the month, the Marketplace never fails to draw over 3,000 attendees to the 72 vendors sharing food, art, crafts, resources, and community spirit. Economic studies of the Harrison Avenue Marketplace by Marketumbrella.org and University of New Orleans show an approximate $3.6 million direct economic impact over two years, helping Lakeview area businesses attain pre-Katrina revenue.
The Beacon of Hope would like to thank Lupo Enterprise, and the generosity of it's President, Robert Lupo, for providing the location to host the Harrison Avenue Marketplace as his commitment to the betterment and prosperity of the Lakeview community.
The market is held on the second Wednesday of very month from 5-8pm. For more information about Harrison Avenue Marketplace, please go to http://www.harrisonavenuemarketplace.org. If you are a vendor who would like to participate in the Harrison Avenue Marketplace please download Harrison Avenue Market Application for Vendors (pdf) - to apply.
The Marketplace's success has not gone unnoticed by other communities. This summer, two additional Marketplaces were established in Gentilly and New Orleans East. Our two event planning pros now serve as consultants for all three Marketplaces.
Visit the markets' websites for more details:
www.renaissancemarketplace.org
www.gentillyfest.org/gentillyfestmarketplace.htm
