West End market pops up for summer

Summer market season has arrived, and now in almost every corner of Mineral County, you can find a collection of growers, artists, crafters and artisans to buy from.

Alberton holds a farmer’s market from May through September on Thursdays from 4:30 to 7 p.m. The Superior Saturday Market will get underway at the old Schoolhouse on June 8 at 9 a.m. to noon. And now even the West End has a market of its own, it’s called the Pop-Up Market at the Hideout in DeBorgia every other Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m.

One of the vendors, Naomi Mesenbrink, the face behind Phun-E Farm, sells various gifts at the markets like fresh flowers, duck/chicken eggs, organic lip balm and monster cookies. 

“Last summer, Michelle Hahn, the manager at The Hideout in DeBorgia, started inviting vendors to participate in a "Pop-up Market" every other Thursday. It's like a mini farmer's market conveniently located for the West End,” she explained.

This year’s markets got started again on April 25 and will continue every other Thursday through the Fall. Anyone is welcome to come and set up a table to sell. 

Mesenbrink noted, “During cold or wet days, we move inside, but we are looking forward to the warmer summer months and being more visible in the large parking lot.” 

The first Pop-Up Market of 2024 saw a record of 13 vendors, selling jewelry, produce, plants, fresh cut flowers, eggs, honey, baked & canned goods, photography, home decor and other homemade goodies.

She added, “We even have the Historic DeBorgia Schoolhouse non-profit group participating with a brand-new opportunity of purchasing Schoolhouse memorabilia such as hats and cards.”

Other local small businesses and vendors include The Potting Shed, Montana Love Photography, Twin Creek Creations, The Phun-E Farm, MJ Scrubs and Bubbles, Benson Homestead, Blue Sky Baubles, and several more.

Janet Hughes, and her husband Charles, run the artistic and custom-made business of Twin Creek Creations out of their home in DeBorgia. They have been participating in the markets since it started last August. Hughes said it’s been a huge success for her to gain new customers.

“It has absolutely helped out our business. We see folks from other states that stop to grab something to eat at The Hideout and come check out the local vendors,” she remarked. “I just sent a customer Mother's Day sign to Troy, Missouri from someone who was dining at The Hideout and purchased it for his wife because he was going to be gone from home on Mother's Day.”

Back when the idea was just floating around Hughes said, “Michelle Hahn at The Hideout had asked us if we thought it was a good idea and we said absolutely. She reached out to a couple
other vendors like Milton with The Potting Shed, Katie with Benson Farms, and Rita with Montana Love Photography, and we all just showed up that first Thursday in August.”

It’s all just local crafters, artists, jewelry makers, bakers, gardeners, and entrepreneurs looking to share their bounty and creations with others.

Hughes expressed, “I would like to add that Michelle Hahn at The Hideout plays a key pivotal role in this market being successful. She does not charge us vendor fees and constantly promotes the market for us. She will literally call people she knows and tell them to come down and see all the vendors.

The next Pop-Up Market in DeBorgia will be on the evening of Thursday, May 23, from 5 to 7 p.m. so make sure to pop by for some unique finds and fresh goodies. For questions about how to be added to the vendor list call 406-678-0090.

    From yard signs, to duck eggs, or homemade bread you can find a wonderful variety of treasures at the market every other Thursday at the Hideout. (Photo courtesy Janet Hughes)