by Elean Gersack

On Saturday, June 9, Market in the Pines debuted in Castle Pines North (CPN). With open-air shopping and artisan vendors, Market in the Pines is a monthly summer event created by the Business in the Pines Association.

According to Business in the Pines Vice-President, Carla Kenny, having the first market was a tremendous step towards creating a regular event that will draw people back month after month. “Market in the Pines will only be enhanced and grow from here,” said Kenny.

Plans are already underway for a produce addition to future markets. “Our remaining summer markets will include a good selection of fresh produce – from tomatoes, corn and peppers to zucchini, squash and potatoes,” said Sharon Kollmar, president of Business in the Pines.

Participating vendors enjoyed the new market. Melissa Morgan, owner of Livvy Loo – a boutique for mom and baby – operates her home-based business from Littleton. Morgan discovered Market in the Pines from a Yourhub.com article via an online search for local craft shows. Morgan designs and makes custom baby and toddler items including pillowcase dresses, bonnets, blankets and hair accessories. “The turnout has been good, especially considering this is the first market. I’m looking forward to coming back again,” said Morgan.

Local resident and home-based business owner, Jennifer Leete, had many visitors to her Bubble Goddess Bath Company booth. Leete makes natural soaps, oils and lotions in the basement of her CPN home. “I have a culinary background, love to bathe and wanted to be home with my son, so I decided to cook-up bath products about two years ago,” said Leete. According to Leete, her secret is simple – her products maintain the all of the natural glycerin that many commercial companies remove. Leete recently joined Business in the Pines as a way to network locally.

During the market, Plum Creek Catering sold delicious homemade breakfast burritos, cookies and banana bread. Allison Prescott, owner of Plum Creek Catering, recently began renting kitchen space from CPN business, Castle Cones. Prescott joined the Business in the Pines Association to become more involved in the community. “I was happy to join [Business in the Pines]. It takes a lot of work for local businesses to be successful – meeting more people having more exposure is good for all of us,” said Prescott.

Market in the Pines is sponsored by Castle Pines Village Realty, the Business in the Pines Association, and the Castle Pines North Master Association. Additional summer markets will be held on July 14, August 11 and September 8 – from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. To learn more about Market in the Pines or to learn about Business in the Pines Association benefits, please visit www.businesinthepines.com.

Business in the Pines was created by the Castle Pines North Master Association to help unite local storefront and home-based businesses. Thanks to the Castle Pines North area Safeway and Starbucks for donating water, donuts and coffee for the event.