For those who were ready to kick off the holiday season, the 13th annual Mistletoe Market was hosted by Leslie Town Centre Friday, Nov. 6 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 7 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The event included 50 different merchants and boutiques that gathered under one roof to distribute holiday items, outdoor sportswear, cosmetics, food, jewelry and other gift ideas for the holiday season.
Featured boutiques included A Spice Above, BeautiControl, Mary Kay, The Berry Basket, Earthwares, Loxx Salon and Spa, Broast and more. Grade-A Catering was also involved with the event, providing shoppers with salads, soups, deserts and sandwiches.
It was Broast Tennessee Coffee Roaster’s first year involved with Mistletoe Market and provided free coffee to patrons. Broast provides coffee from all over the world such as Kenya, Brazil, Peru, Guatemala and Colombia.
“The Peru medium gives you a chocolate-y finish along with the Guatemala brand. They both taste like Hershey bars,” said owner and Tech alumnus, Zach Buckner. “I started roasting green coffee beans on a small roaster and moved to larger batches. It’s been neat getting to be a small business involved with an event like this.”
Local boutiques came together to offer a wide variety of gift ideas for the approaching holiday season.
“We have ornaments, fireside flavor coffees that you just mix with hot water which makes it really convenient for someone who may live in a dorm or wherever,” said Rhonda Chaffin, owner of LauRes Gift Shop. “We have clothing, carry bags, a little bit of everything.”
Debbie Smith, event director of Leslie Town Centre, expressed how Mistletoe Market contributes to the community along with providing customers the easiness of gift shopping.
Mistletoe Market contributes to the “Together We Care” program where $500 is awarded to patron nonprofit organizations.
“The Cookeville Regional Foundation received the award last year,” said Smith. “The money was focused to those with cancer, raising money to help those going through treatment. Treatment is pricey and this award helps that program with providing support with income and other necessities.”
Cookeville-Putnam County Animals also held a silent auction to raise money for food and other needs for the local animal shelter.
“Mistletoe Market is always the first weekend of November,” says Smith. “It’s a fun way to do some Christmas shopping, with ideas all under the same roof for your convenience.”
