Austin women build handmade businesses Friends behind ‘A Handmade Christmas’ announce new venture
Lisa Deyo and her Sweet Reads books store is one of the new businesses to find a home on Main Street. Her set-up across from the Spam Museum allows for the potential of many more shoppers.
By Christopher Baldus chris.baldus@austindailyherald.com
So what is the Grey Minnow Market? First of all, it has nothing to do with fish, necessarily. A fish could show up in a piece of original art or a hand-crafted candle, although the creators of the market have not indicated that is coming. The Grey Minnow Market is something being formed by two Austin women who each own their own artisan business. It has sprouted from the popular two-day Austin art and craft show, “A Handmade Christmas,” Stromlund according to Kristy Rooney, who established the show five years ago. Artist Katie Stromlund, who has helped with the show from the beginning is a co-founder of the Grey Minnow Market. “It’s not just a market, but a vehicle for a lot of different things,” said Rooney in a Facebook video announcing its creation. “All kinds of good things,” co-founder Katie added. Those good things will roam as the market is not of the storefront variety. It’s presence will be felt in the network of art and craft shows throughout the state and it will have its own shows. The first event announced for the business was a “pop-up” market in Rooney’s backyard in September with a handful of craft vendors selling wares such as knit hats, custom aprons, cloth gnome figures, candles, original paintings and hand-stitched pillows. They were happy with how it turned out. Rooney called it a great showing.
See MINNOW, Page 4
Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Deyo: A different vision for Main Street By Deb Nicklay
deb.nicklay@austindailyherald.com
Kristy Rooney, who has organized A Handmade Christmas for five years now, and has a growing business — Zarooka Candle Co., says a new venture, Grey Minnow Market, has its roots in the popular arts and craft show. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Pictured are examples of crafts sold at Grey Minnow Market’s first popup show in September at Rooney’s home. Photo provided
Pictured are examples of Grey Minnow Market co-founder Katie Stomlund’s paintings. Photo provided
A relative newcomer to the downtown business community says her yearold business has been sustained by community support, “a creative husband,” and location. But others will tell you that her weekly offerings of author talks and activities, and numerous children’s events have bolstered her success. “It is such a wonderful place,” said Austin author Virginia Larsen, “and Lisa is so good to us.” “Lisa” is Lisa Deyo, the owner of Sweet Reads and Candy Shop, at 407 N. Main St., right across the street from the Spam Museum. Her energy and smile are both infectious. And, she needs that energy — her “regular” job is teaching fourth grade full-time at Southgate Elementary School. After she is done teaching for the day, she starts working at her new business. Her husband, John — another small business owner, who has ViDeyo Arts Video Production Studio two blocks south, also on Main Street — thought a bookstore “was a terrible idea,” given the overwhelming attraction of internet giants like Amazon. But when a storefront opened up right across from the Spam Museum, those feelings changed. “Now, you have a potential of 100,000 visitors a year, right across the street,” he said, and the bookstore was a go.
See DEYO, Page 4