Market brings local businesses to downtown Sarasota

Sarasota's John Hendershott is in a unique business: creating surfboard tables. 

He says as a result, it's easy for him to be compassionate towards other vendors.

"Our biggest passion is try to help other vendors make money," he said. "It's been rough since COVID. A lot of vendors lost their business."

He says that is why he likes to help manage events, including Eat, Drink, & Shop at the Bay, which was held from Nov. 1-2, through his company MY Promotion.

At the same time a Day of the Dead and Halloween block party was about to get underway nearby at Clasico, some 40 merchants lined Gulfstream Ave., alongside J.D. Hamel Park, to offer items including food, drinks and crafts.

"Anytime you can be on (U.S. 41), you're going to do better, and then Downtown Sarasota is a beautiful place," Hendershott said." It's a great location. People are coming out. There's always something going on downtown."

The event will return in January, February and March.