Aumsville’s Tiny Business Village in Porter-Boone Park has stirred up community interest.
“We will be branding this building as Maude’s,” said Ron Harding, city administrator. “Maude Boone was the person who donated the property now known as Porter-Boone. She was also the owner of the original market in Aumsville.”
The Village, located by the tennis courts, will serve multi-purposes, but is primarily designated to provide a group of micro-retail spaces that will allow vendors to rent a space for Saturday Markets, Harding said.
The structure will allow vendors not have to set up and take down each month of the summer markets, he added.
“With the facility we hope to attract local farmers who can set up, with fruits and vegetable, or flowers and or goods like bakery items,” Harding said. “These types of vendors will be given priorities.”
Electrical connections will be included for the convenience of food trucks to set up next to the building, Harding said.
“The market is a great opportunity for start-up entities to test their products but is also a great place to gather and get to know others,” he said. “We plan on expanding the area to include, benches, landscaping, and hopefully attract visitors and vendors to the area.”
Harding said the building might be used for certain community events, but will not be fully utilized until next summer.
“We can warm up an enclosed facility to use during our Christmas event,” he said. “As an example, we might have Santa Claus use our space for photos or to just greet the kids. It really does provide some great flexible space.”
Space in the building will be dedicated for administrative services to hold tables, chair and equipment for general park event use and support, he said.
The Tiny Business Village was paid for using a $45,000 Marion County prosperity grant along with a $20,000 city match.
Also on the drawing board are handicap-accessible playground equipment, a dog park, a community art program, and a proposal for a new 23-acre park on the east city of the city along Bishop Road, according to the latest city updates.
