Working at the 66th Street Market

At the 66th Street Market in St. Pete, life as a vendor can sometimes be difficult. Despite this, vendors Suzanne Green, Susan Supon and Angelina Herrington enjoy being there.

Suzanne Green, a Cancer Action Network advocate, has been there since June. She met Carol Crawford, the owner, at church. Crawford offered space in her market for free. However, Green has to sell the items in that space in addition to her pins and other types of jewelry. All profits go to the American Cancer Society and the Pinellas Pregnancy Center.

As Green puts it,  “We don’t have a lot of people, but I enjoy people.” Business is slow for her, but she doesn’t seem to mind.

Other vendors, such as Susan Supon, also don’t mind not having a lot of business.

Supon sells vintage items as well as her own creations. She is proud of what she sells, and enjoys what she does.

 

A selection of items offered from Susan Supon.

A selection of items offered from Susan Supon.

She found the market during their grand opening, about four years ago. However, she didn’t start there until three and a half years ago because she needed a part-time job. As only a semi-retiree and on widow’s benefits, she needed another source of income.

It’s never very busy for her on the weekends, which is when the market is open. But she says she enjoys the people, and “isn’t there to make a million dollars.”

For Angelina Herrington, this is more than just a way to pass the time. She wants to make her small space at the market into a real business.

She currently sell clothes and other assorted items in her section of the market. Herrington genuinely cares about what she does. “I’m here seven days a week so it’s like  a job,” she says, but points out the market is only open to the public on weekends.

Angelina Herrington steps outside to take a phone call.

Angelina Herrington steps outside to take a phone call.

She admits that it’s not easy, but it’s not bad either.  Herrington has found it difficult to attract customers and to advertise. There is a Facebook page for her business, but it’s not enough for her.

Herrington remains hopeful, and her dream of opening her own store may not be too far away.

All three of these women at the 66th Street Market love what they do, and most are not too focused on the money. For Supon and Green, they just enjoy spending time there and interacting with others. But for Herrington, dreams of a better future keep her coming back each day.

Regardless of their reason for being there, this market offers something for each of them.