Brookings Inn and Convention Center is hosting the 2nd Annual Spring Market event this Saturday, March 23 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. There’s a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes for this and Tamra Misner is to thank!
Misner has been in the market for 25 years now. She started this event in Watertown with about five to 10 vendors. Local vendors liked how she ran things, so she decided to bring one closer.
“I wanted to help these people build and grow these home-based and hand-based businesses,” Misner said. “They were lost and didn’t know what to do so we grew together. It has been a passion of mine for vendors and crafters to sell their goods.”
Misner usually uses social media and advertising to find these vendors. Facebook pages have also become popular to find people.
“Word of mouth is a huge way people find out,” Misner said. “People say that the event is very organized and fresh. Also, the mapping and the balance of it is what people like.”
From COVID to now, there have been vendors coming from Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, Nebraska and Colorado. Numbers have also gone up from five to 10 vendors to 50 to 100.
“Brookings has been packed every time,” Misner said. “There are about 45 vendors and a waiting list.”
Saige Wirkus, a senior at South Dakota State University, attended the Spring Market last year.
“I went last year with my mom, and I thought there was a great variety of things,” Wirkus said. “It was so fun to see all the different styles and products each stop had.”
Misner said they cater to all ages. Families, kids, college kids, etc. They have stuff coming from Kenya, different nationalities, cultures and Native American art.
“We have a variety for everyone,” Misner said. “It is unique and of great quality. I try to find what is trending and selling that year also.”
Abby Keith, a local in Brookings, said she started a crocheting business a couple years ago and would love to be part of the experience.
“I loved seeing everything last year,” Keith said. “I would love to bring my products there next year and get my feet in the door since I have heard such good things about his event.”
Misner will continue helping these people get started and grow in their businesses.
“I get very little financial gain from it, but it brings me happiness and joy seeing these girls come to these markets and walk away satisfied,” Misner said. “Sometimes they walk away not selling anything, but they have the experience and new ideas coming back.”
Going forward, finding venues that keep fitting is the main goal. Coming up is the women’s expo in Brookings on May 4 at the Outdoor Adventure Center.