Business owner wants to start an art walk, farmer’s market
A business owner in Marinatown wants to bring a little art to an area she believes will embrace it.
Danielle Tabone, owner of First Mate and Bait, a general store in Marinatown that is surrounded by restaurants and condos, is hoping to start an art walk and farmer’s market in the area, and wants to put all artists on notice.
Tabone opened the store in May, where she rents paddleboats and canoes, as well as provides bait for those looking to fish on the Caloosahatchee.
Tabone said she remembers there was an art walk years ago that was very successful and thought with season coming it would be a great opportunity for local artists to get their work seen and sold.
“We have seasonal tourists who walk from 7 a.m. on, so I thought it would be great to have something for people who live here,” Tabone said.
Tabone said she has already gotten in touch with six artists after placing an on-line classified ad, and she has already gone to the farmer’s market in Fort Myers to hand out information sheets to the vendors and see when they could do it at Marinatown.
“We have so many people living in the area and North Fort Myers does not have a farmer’s market. There’s a huge parking lot and we want to utilize it,” Tabone said.
As far as the art walk, the true benefit for it would be that they have a built-in audience, since the restaurants provide an opportunity for their diners to go somewhere after they eat.
The art walk is set to start Nov. 9 and go from noon to 5 p.m. every Sunday until at least the end of April. Tabone said artists will have the opportunity to set up a 10-foot area on the water, free of charge, until the end of season or even beyond.
So far, there are a few painters, a glass artist, an even someone who makes things with bamboo, Tabone said, adding the artists will be encouraged to work while the walk is in progress.
“We have six artists and a women who has opened an art store next to me and a coffee shop, so everyone is getting involved,” Tabone said.
In the future, Tabone said she wants to start a support group for teens and young adults who suffer from depression at her store.
For more information contact Tabone at 560-4898.