Hosting a market is an art form at UTC

Artists love making connections at The Mall at UTC in Sarasota.

By Ian Swaby
| 10:00 a.m. January 20, 2023

East County
Neighbors

Sarasota's Katie O'Neill, the owner of Paper Moon Origami Co., loves to see potential customers as they approach her booth at special events, such as the Night Market at UTC that was held Jan. 19.

"There's nothing more Sarasota than stumbling onto a bunch of artists," she said. "It's really nice to have that presence over here."

UTC's first Night Market of 2023 featured local boutiques and businesses, such as Blossom & Burn Co., Made for Mama Shop and Driftheory.

The market extended its vendor tents into the road area alongside The Green at UTC, beside Georgie's Garden Cafe, with traffic safely blocked off for those who attended.

Visitors appeared to enjoy the goods on offer as they strolled under the night sky amid the Christmas lights still adorning the UTC area and relaxed in the chairs on The Green at UTC to listen to live music by Kingpin Band while children played corn hole in the grass.

"We love it," said Sarasota's Dan Rutkowski. "We come to every night market."

Rutkowski said the environment provided an excellent space for his children to play in, and said he also liked supporting the local community through all of the market’s vendors.

”It's my first time here, and I'm loving it," said The Meadows' Melba Jiminez "Look at all these beautiful businesses."

Waterside's Eugene Koshel and Sarasota's Dan Rutkowski converse during the Night Market on The Green at UTC.

The Meadows' Sarah Schoeck and Ryan Allen check out the items at Rooted and Free Co. during the Night Market.

Tara Cowan from Kansas, and Palm Aire's Paul Peays examine the candles at SipNWick with the assistance of Patrick Allen.

Parrish's Sarah Whipple and Jefferson Millar relax while listening to the live music at the Night Market at UTC.

Donnie O'Neal is the singer for Kingpin Band, which performed during the Night Market at UTC in Sarasota.

Driftheory owner Danielle Ferrantino helps Lakewood Ranch's Debra McWaters make a jewelry selection during the Night Market.

Georgie's Garden Cafe's Frank Smith and Alyssa Ennis serve a drink to Lakewood Ranch's Deanna Hawley.

Gourds by Glowing Gourds hang in a stand at the market.

The night market expanded to the area adjoining Cattlemen Road.

Sarasota's Alex Wiederhold and Megan Brown watch the performance by Kingpin Band.

Lakewood Ranch's Lindsay Wood of Blossom & Burn Co. and Marie Gueguen of Apana by Marie exchange a laugh between their adjacent stands at the Night Market.

Parrish's Bill and Karen Markham of Dehydrated Fruit and Veggie Co. sell an item to Sarasota's Stephanie Tolland.

Correction: A photo caption in this gallery has been updated to correct the name of Alex Wiederhold.

author

Ian Swaby

Ian Swaby is the Sarasota neighbors writer for the Observer. Ian is a Florida State University graduate of Editing, Writing, and Media and previously worked in the publishing industry in the Cayman Islands.