The Heart of Community: Why Local Markets and Small Businesses Matter

You know that feeling when you light a candle and suddenly, you’re not just sitting in your living room...you’re somewhere else entirely? Maybe it’s your mum’s kitchen, where something’s always baking. Maybe it’s your best friends bedroom getting ready to go out. That’s the power of scent - it’s memory in motion.

And you know what else has that same magic? Local community markets.

The bustle, the laughter, the smells (good and questionable), and the feeling that, just for a few hours, you’re part of something bigger than yourself. Markets have a pulse and it beats with the rhythm of community.

From Omagh to DFW: Where It All Began

When I was growing up in Omagh, every Monday was market day at the Carnival Grounds. Though there wasn’t much carnival about it...unless you count the wild personalities that filled every inch of the place.

There were farmers with their cattle, bakers with trays of soda bread, dressmakers fussing over fabrics, and the odd busker, storyteller or gypsy reading tea leaves keeping everyone entertained. You could buy a bag of spuds, a dress, and a new tune for your tin whistle all before lunchtime. It wasn’t just about buying and selling. It was about seeing your neighbors, catching up, swapping stories, and remembering that we’re all in this together. The hum of conversation, the calls of traders, the laughter rising over the din. It was community, pure and simple!

And maybe that’s why markets still mean so much to me now. They’re one of the few places left where people truly gather, face to face, eye to eye. Sharing not just goods, but moments.

The Modern Market: Still the Beating Heart of Community

Fast forward a few years (and a few thousand miles), and here we are standing behind our Gluttony Candles table under a Texas sun, trying to keep the tablecloth from flying away, and praying the wind doesn't give Dorothy a run for her money where we lose the tent canopy.

We’ve set up at so many wonderful markets around DFW - Benbrook Farmers Market, Richardson Farmers Market, The Rock ’n’ Roll Rummage, Saginaw Farmers Market, Fort Worth Community Market, Conundrum Farms, and The Rabbit Hole Round-Up, just to name a few.

Each one has its own soul. You can feel it as soon as you arrive - that mix of nerves, excitement, and caffeine-fueled optimism that every vendor carries with them. The scent of baked goods mingling with coffee, handmade soaps, fresh herbs, and the occasional brisket smoke drifting by - it’s pure sensory heaven.

More Than a Market Stall

Now more than ever, these community events matter. The economy’s a bit mad right now. We all feel it. Costs are up, margins are thin, and yet…every weekend, people still show up.

You’ll find a mother working her stall so she can help send her kid to college debt-free. You’ll meet someone testing out their dream, hoping it might turn into a full-time business one day. You’ll see couples, families, and friends spending their evenings and weekends chasing a spark of creativity - trading sleep for passion.

That’s what these markets are really about. Dreamers and doers, artists and makers, all pouring their heart into something they believe in, rain or shine. So when you buy a candle, a loaf of bread, a jar of honey, or a handmade ring, you’re not just making a purchase. You’re giving someone a little nod that says, “Keep going. I see you.”

The Joy (and Exhaustion) of It All

Let me tell you, market life is not for the faint of heart. There’s loading and unloading, sunburn and frostbite (sometimes in the same day), and always one customer who wants to smell every single candle before choosing the first one they picked up.

But then someone stops, smiles, and says, “That’s my nana’s scones!" or "That's my childhood in a can!", then it’s pure gold, and it’s all worth it. If a candle can make a grown man go misty-eyed over a memory relived, we must be doing something right.

It’s humbling and hilarious all at once. The kind of exhaustion that fills your soul rather than drains it. You go home tired but proud, covered in wax dust and joy, knowing you’ve shared a piece of your story with someone new.

Why We’ll Keep Showing Up

Markets aren’t just where we sell candles - they’re where we connect, laugh, and remind ourselves that there’s still good in the world.

In a time when everything feels faster, noisier, and more digital, markets bring us back to what’s real. People, conversations, handmade goods, shared laughter, and that comforting hum of community.

So as we head into the holiday season, we hope you’ll come find us, whether at Saginaw Farmers Market, The Fort Worth Community Market, The Rock ’n’ Roll Rummage, Conundrum Farms, or The Rabbit Hole Round-Up. Wander, taste, chat, support.

Because every candle you buy, every artisan you meet, every small business you encourage, it all adds up. You’re helping keep the lights on for dreams big and small.

Upcoming Community Local Markets: Where to Find Us This Season

Here’s where we’ll be spreading light, laughter, and keeping 'er lit all season:

🕯️  Saginaw Farmers Market: 8AM–12PM on the 2nd & 4th Saturday of each month

🕯️ Fort Worth Community Market: 10AM–2PM on the 2nd Sunday of the month

🕯️The Rock ’n’ Roll Rummage: 12PM–5PM on the 3rd Sunday of each month (final one for 2025 is November 15th!)

🕯️ Conundrum Farms Sunday Funday: 12PM–4PM every Sunday (watch our website for which dates we’ll be there!)

🕯️  The Rabbit Hole Round-Up: 12PM–5PM on the 1st Sunday of the month (November’s moved to the 2nd due to another event!)

🕯️ Blackland Distillery Night Market: Friday, November 14th from 5PM–9PM

And we’ll be adding more pop-ups on our way to Christmas — keep an eye on our website and socials for the latest updates!

Can’t make it to one of ours? Then pop by another local market near you — For Dallas-Fort Worth, here are some options: White Rock Farmers Market, Richardson Farmers Market, The Boho Market, Dallas Farmers Market, Benbrook Farmers Market, Lake Worth Market, The Urban Market, The Underground Market or the Deep Ellum Market.

We’ve been part of all these before, and they’re filled with talented creators, friendly faces, and enough inspiration to keep your heart glowing (and your home smelling divine).

The Glow That Keeps Us Going

So light your favorite candle tonight and think of all the people out there hand-pouring, hand-crafting, and hand-dreaming their way toward something beautiful. Because markets aren’t just about shopping - they’re about showing up for each other. And if there’s one thing the world could use a bit more of right now, it’s that.

Here’s to community, creativity, and the comforting hum of a market crowd - past, present, and yet to come! And if you ever spot us at any event, do come say hi. We’ll be the ones with soy wax on our sleeves, tea in hand, and a candle or two flickering away. Keeping the glow alive.

Go on then...get out there, meet your local dreamers, and soak up the market magic. And if you’ve a favorite vendor or story from your own community, spill the tea in the comments. I’d love to hear it!