Sewickley Chamber Night Mart brings people to borough, boost for businesses

Thousands of people packed Beaver Street for the second summer Sewickley Chamber of Commerce Night Mart.

The rocking sounds of Bobby Thompson and the Groove filled the air of the borough’s main thoroughfare July 29.

About 23 artisans with handmade goods and eight food vendors set up shop between Broad and Walnut streets.

Chamber president Diana Kauffman said it was the maximum amount of businesses they could fit, and there are others on waiting lists.

“We can only fit that many on the street,” she said. “The qualification is: it has to be handcrafted by them. It has to not conflict with what is already selling at one of our retail stores. It has to add another category of product or interest to the community.

“This isn’t to compete. This is to supplement the stores and bring people in. We look for things that are totally different and also experiences.”

There was a Night Mart in June. July’s Night Mart was also part of the chamber’s Christmas in July, which began with a Sundae 5K run/walk.

More than 200 people participated in the race July 24.

The next Night Mart is Aug. 26.

Temperatures dipped from the low 80s to the high 70s throughout the July 29 evening. The weather was perfect for free snow cones from the Ultimate Pastry Shop.

Bruno Lucarelli of Leetsdale got a mango frozen treat.

“I always come here to get cookies and stuff at the sweet shop,” Lucarelli said. “I’m here for the night market. It happens once a month in the summer, and it’s something to do. Sometimes you see shops doing interesting stuff like the snow cones here. I like to take a look around and see what’s going on.

“Definitely a little more crowded than I think that I would expect, even for the night market. I think that everybody’s still kind of venting from covid, not being able to go outside as much or do things. These events are a lot more crowded, I think, than last year.”

Carlyle MacDonald, a 2015 Quaker Valley High School grad, launched her business, Found Woodworks, about three years ago. She had one of the prime spots along the street, not far from the snow cones.

She repurposes discarded lumber into cutting boards, vases, spoons and various household items.

“I try not to buy any wood,” MacDonald said. “I will find it from people who have trees down in their yards or (from) people on Craigslist that have old wood in their garages. Kind of weird places like that. It’s a variety of wood. I never really know what I’m getting or what I’ll make of it until I see it.

“I went to school for design and had taken a woodshop class. This was definitely in the wheelhouse. My grandfather was a carpenter, so I kind of knew about it and would mess around in his shop when I was little. It’s definitely known territory, but I’m also figuring it out as I go.

“This is a good event. There’s definitely a lot of people out. It’s a good, friendly crowd.”

Other vendors included Fjord and Fable, Baxter & the Bear, Closet Rehab, Daisy Me Rollin and Ladybug Delightz.

Food trucks included PGH Crepes, La Catrina on Wheels, Slurp-n-Burst Boba Tea, Papa Duke’s Gyros, Pita My Shawarma and Veggies n’ At.

The event was about more than just spending and eating.

There were a variety of activities such as pottery, face painting and bag decorating.

Valerie Lerch of Ambridge helped her children, Thane, 12, and Evangeline, 4, paint tote bags at the Sweetwater Center for the Arts tent.

She said Thane is involved in painting classes at the center, and Evangeline loves to play with colors.

“I get my hair done here (at Sean’s Signature Salon), so I heard about the market,” Lerch said. “We’ve been here before for Light Up Night. (The kids) are having a wonderful time. It’s a great event for families in an area where there’s not that much to do.”

Mayor George Shannon said it was tremendous seeing all the activity in the borough.

“We have restaurants. We have shops. We just have a friendly environment,” Shannon said. “People like to come here and be part of it. … We’re a very friendly community and we want to keep it that way.”

More information about chamber events is available at sewickleychamberofcommerce.org.