The city of Monroe will hold a Rivermarket on Saturday, April 19. The public is invited to come enjoy a day on the riverside and be able to shop and support local businesses.
Local businesses will be set up at tables along the river and will provide various items that are handmade/homemade. City residents are encouraged to bring their family and friends to learn more about northeast Louisiana culture. Pets on a leash are also welcome.
Nirali Patel, the main street director for the city of Monroe, talks about why it is important to support local businesses. "A lot of these folks are selling something that they made with their own hands," Patel declares.
"This is one of your opportunities to help support their dreams and support their creativity."
Several items sold at the Rivermarket will be historical and unique to only the Monroe area. Will Kirkland, the strategic programs manager for the City of Monroe, will be talking about the restoration of The Ouachita Candy Company building at the event.
"There's a lot of history in that building," Kirkland voices. "The first bottle of Coke was mass produced in that building."
Kirkland and the city of Monroe are working to clean up the building to reestablish its historical legacy. They are looking for the community's feedback on what they would like to see in the new building, so a survey can be taken at https://oneroe.city/candyco/.
The event will take place in downtown Monroe, 316 South Grand Street, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. After the event, attendees are invited to visit businesses in the downtown area.
More information about the Rivermarket and other Monroe events in the future can be found on Downtown Monroe Main Street social media pages.
