We Are Improving!

We hope that you'll find our new look appealing and the site easier to navigate than before. Please pardon any 404's that you may see, we're trying to tidy those up!  Should you find yourself on a 404 page please use the search feature in the navigation bar.  

User Rating: 5 / 5

Star ActiveStar ActiveStar ActiveStar ActiveStar Active
 

Win-win situations can be a lot of fun and benefit for everyone involved and recently Jim, Gayle and Michael Garrett announced an upcoming event they believe will be just that.

Market at the Mansion will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on June 15 at the Patterson Mansion at 608 Jackson Street in Roanoke Rapids and is an event will have a dual purpose.

According to Jim, who said he is interested in promoting small business in the area, this is a great opportunity for multi-level and direct sales operators to show their wares.

Churches and nonprofit organizations are invited to participate and all of the proceeds — $25 for a 10x10 space — will be donated to the Boys & Girls Club of Halifax County.

“Each vendor keeps their earnings,” Jim explained. “The $25 registration fee goes to the Boys & Girls Club. We’re not deducting any expenses. We’re giving all the money from the fees to Roanoke Rapids children.”

Mr. Garrett is hopeful vendors and those who come out to enjoy the event will find themselves charitable that day, as the Boys and Girls Club provides vital services to area youth.

Shereal Harvey, site coordinator for the local Boys & Girls Club, said she was glad the family could see the value of the organization’s work. She noted the group is in the throes of fundraising for its 2020 budget and while the group has fallen short several years in a row, she’s hopeful events like Market at the Mansion will make it possible to reach the $61,000 goal.

“We appreciate this a lot,” Harvey said. “It’s amazing what they are doing for us.”

Harvey said the local chapter of the Boys & Girls Club does more than babysitting students after school – their programs run year round and provide education in matters such as gang and drug prevention, good health and nutrition and how to get along with others.

While helping children with homework, they also provide a hot meal for them before they go home and during the summer they will be providing both breakfast and lunch.

“It means a lot to our kids,” she said.

Said Mr. Garrett, “I’m all for helping businesses but I also believe in businesses stepping up and relieving some of the burden of charity.”

The group went over some of the more than 20 vendors already signed up to participate including jewelers, food trucks, artists, soap makers and lots of other vendors excited about the opportunity to share their work.

“We’re looking to get someone with a vegetable and plant stand,” said Gayle, Mr. Garrett’s wife.   She said they also hope that local musicians and bands will take advantage of the opportunity and come out to share their gifts.

Michael Garrett, the couple’s son, said  because the event is scheduled for an entire day, he can easily arrange an hour or so of time for a group to get exposure and that it will add a lot to the festivities.

In addition, he said, this family friendly event will feature children’s games, a bouncy house and the Roanoke Rapids Fire Department is planning a special surprise – a huge “slip-n-slide” for children to enjoy.

Mr. Garrett noted that there is so much room on the mansion lawn that he never expects to fill all of the 10x10 feet spaces but he would love to try.

He explained that he believes the future of the area is contingent on everyone working together to provide mutual benefit and that small business is the way to help the area grow.

“Industry might not move back to town. We need to go back to the cottage industries and save ourselves with much needed services and jobs,” he said.

If you would like to sponsor or participate in The Market at the Mansion call 252-536-1916. You can also donate to the Boys & Girls Club in Roanoke Rapids by calling 252-537-8092.