One of the larger retail spaces in Eureka Springs, the former Focker’s building at 2100 E. Van Buren across from Pine Mountain Village, has undergone a transformation into the Hobbies & Homestead Craft and Vintage Market that currently has spaces for 31 vendors.
The market is being developed by Kendra Hughes and her wife, Kim Yonkee, who operated the space as Focker’s discount market from 2008 to 2014. More recently they rented it out to operators of the Four States Events Center.
Hughes said what they are offering is unique. The vendor spaces are built out of barn wood and wooden pallets.
“It is a rustic, cool looking place,” Hughes said. “Think Etsy; we feature product the vendors have made themselves, DIY supplies, and antique/vintage items. We have folks from the farmers’ market joining us, so we’ll have fresh local produce, and (as the season allows) local honey.”
Hughes said they are already full with vendors and have a waiting list.
“I didn’t expect to fill up so fast,” she said. “We are going to be expanding next month. We have the 31 booths in the front 4,000 square feet of the building, which is close to 12,000 square feet. So, there is plenty of room to expand.”
There is even room in the back being designed as space for workshops.
Hughes said when they got the building back from those leasing it for the Four States Events Center, it was important to do something quickly.
“This gives our shops a highway presence while allowing us to share the space with vendors who cannot afford the time or expense of running a full-time downtown shop,” she said.
Hughes said there is definitely a synergy going with the different vendors involved, mostly crafters. David Cunningham with Eureka Ironworks does forged iron pieces like rifle racks and fireplace sets. Ranaga Farbiarz is offering handmade wind chimes. Linda and Chris Lewis opened a booth called Hollywood in the Ozarks. Chris is the son of country singing star Loretta Young. Hughes said they even some of Young’s items in their booth, as well as unexpected vintage and antique items.
Hughes and Yonkee also operate three businesses downtown, Eureka’s Nut House, Sugar & Spite, and Soap Stop and Body Shop. They also operate a soap shop in a booth at the market.
Focker’s discount store operated for 2008 to 2014. The new market opened Nov. 16. Hughes said that early opening was to give vendors time to get up and running before the busy season arrived. But Hughes said they have been surprised at the amount of traffic they got even in the off season.
“We have traffic every day,” she said. “I’ve been surprised actually how much traffic we have in off season.”
The market is open from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., but closed Tuesday and Wednesday. In February it will be open those hours seven days a week, and in March open seven days until 7 p.m.