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Candles, vegetables and jewelry were just a sample of the various goods offered Saturday on the first day of Downtown LaGrange’s Market on Main.

The market featured over a dozen vendors, some returning from years past while others were brand new to the setting and eager to share what they had to offer with their customers.

Barbie Watts, director of marketing and promotions at the Downtown LaGrange Development Authority, called the opening day a success and said she was glad that it had so many vendors.

“Opening day is always really exciting, and it’s really exciting to have so many young entrepreneurs,” Watts said.

Newbie Maggie Martin, 16, was excited to bring her baked goods from her homey kitchen counter to a much smaller table on Main Street.

Martin started her own bakery business, Brown Eyed Baker, at home over a year ago.

“My mom kind of taught me everything,” Martin said. “I need a job and she said I should sell this stuff, people will love it, and it’s been great.”

Martin learned quickly on her first day what to do differently from her next go-round she said. She was apprehensive that she didn’t bring enough product but found that starting off small was the best way to go. Returning vendors such as Daniel Holloway with Holloway Pork Skins and Linda Arrington with County Condiments were simply happy to greet returning and new customers. Returning vendor Lisa Bexton, who runs a flower and vegetable stand called Willowood Garden, has been attending Market on Main for over ten years. Her ongoing philosophy when selling her plants is to see what she has on the first day, find out what her customers like and plan what to bring the following week.

“We thoroughly enjoy it, and we try to make sure everybody enjoys what we have,” Bexton said. 

Market on Main is open on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. on the corner of Main Street and Lafayette Parkway. The last day of the market will be Saturday, Aug. 28.