Say hello to Oak & Ivy Family Market, Dayton’s newest outdoor market. Oak & Ivy Family Market’s mission is to help bring families and community members together where they can shop, eat, and relax while enjoying the beauty of Oak & Ivy Park, according to Market Manager Aimee Plesa.
There are several sources behind the inspiration for Oak & Ivy Family Market, including area market vendors at 2nd Street Market, newcomers tot he market lifestyle, and a way in which the community could support others as a result of the pandemic.
“My fellow market vendors at 2nd Street Market were a huge inspiration to me,” says Plesa. “We all try to participate in additional markets but it’s difficult when the majority of them are held on Saturday mornings.” As a result, Plesa wanted to create an experience that was outside of the traditional market hours in order to help as many other local vendors as possible.
Newcomers to the market lifestyle were also an inspiration in developing Oak & Ivy Family Market. “It can be difficult to get into events as a new vendor, so I am trying to help as many new crafters, bakers, and growers as I can get their start,” adds Plesa.
Then, lastly, during the pandemic, Plesa says she felt an urge to help others. “I’m a chef by trade and hunger has always been a cause near to my heart, so I created a lunch program for anyone and everyone who needed food,” she explains. “After I went back to work, I still wanted to help others but didn’t have the time. Now that I am self-employed, I have the time again. Each of Oak & Ivy’s market events have a special ‘event within the event’ to help others.”
At the opening market, Oak & Ivy Family Market featured a seedling giveaway where anyone attending the market was able to pick up a plant or two to add to their garden or kitchen. Plesa says the market also plans to do a school supply giveaway and a book giveaway later in the season.
Plesa is the one-woman show behind it all, but credits Jeff Jackson, Co-Founder of Planned2Give and President of the Wright Dunbar Neighborhood Committee with helping her make it all happen and bringing it together.
When you visit Oak & Ivy Family Market, you’ll find a variety of vendors in a fun, relaxed environment. “Shoppers an leisurely walk the park and shop, eat, make new friends, and hopefully learn some valuable information that can help them in their lives, whether it be how to improve their gardening skills, how to cook with a certain ingredient, or even some sage advice from a community member,” she says.
Vendors at Oak & Ivy Family Market have fresh fruit, seasoning blends, jams and jellies, fresh baked goods and candies, art from several local artists, micro-greens, handcrafted jewelry, and vintage clothing.
Plesa says that what makes Oak & Ivy Family Market unique is her passion and desire to foster a sense of community between others. “I didn’t create this market for the sole purpose of making money, I want it to bring people together, bring ideas together,” she adds.
Oak & Ivy Family Market is held the last Thursday of each month May through October from 4-8pm. Plesa says they’ll be set up at the Oak & Ivy Par at 700 Anderson-Goodrich Court in the Wright Dunbar community.
“We are already looking into venues for a winter market and expanding next spring,” she says.
The July 28 market is the school supply giveaway, where anyone can pickup the supplies they need for the coming school year. Then, on September 29, is the book giveaway, where guests can choose from a variety of new and used books to add to their libraries. October 27 will be the market’s trick-or-treat and costume contest, with other summer events to be announced.
To learn more about Oak & Ivy Family Market, visit their website. You can also follow along on Facebook and Instagram.
