Chattanooga Market Returns

The kettle corn pops and the lemonade is freshly squeezed, it must be Sunday at the Chattanooga Market.
Shoppers can find all kinds of goodies at the market, from fudge to candles to artwork. Photographer Stephen Cochran is thankful to be back. Cochran says, "I think the people who have taken it over are doing a very good job. The first day has gone rather smoothly."
Chattanooga MarketCochran says he was shocked to hear that the market had been sold and would not return in 2008. But shortly after that announcement, Chris Thomas bought the market franchise and now it's back in business. Turnout on opening day looks good. But some vendors worry about how an unstable economy and rising gas prices will affect shoppers.
Cochran, "It's going to be hard to do with the prices these days and art has always been a luxury not a necessity."
This year's market theme is Local Is Better. Organizers and vendors hope Chattanoogans will take that motto to heart.
Cochran says, "What happens to the market is going to depend on the people in Chattanooga. If the people come and they buy things and not just come and look then it's going to turn out well."
Artist Marian Heintz is back for her third year at the market. She says she feels optimistic about the season. "Everything is going up but I just want to keep doing my best so when people do spend their money they'll spend it with me."
Heintz says she's had to make adjustments to keep her business going. Heintz says, "I've had to raise prices a little bit and be a little more competitive. A lot of people do this as a hobby, but I do this for a living. Everybody else's cost of living is going up so is mine. My expenses are going up so we do have to pass that on."