Alice Sanchez, creator and owner of the Rock Garden, Dec. 13 during a Christmas themed marketplace event. (Photo courtesy of Alice Sanchez)
Alice Sanchez, owner of The Rock Garden, a market space in Knippa, wants the property to act as a community hub, allowing vendors of all ages to hone and make a profit from their craft.
The marketplace, located at 11061 US-90 on the south side of the highway, held its inaugural market in September. The event included vendors that sold the likes of turkey legs, snow cones, enchilada mixtures, corn in a cup, and drinks.
The following markets offered items like home baked apple pies and crafts like crocheted gummy bears.
The Garden offers booth space for the cost of $25, and includes electricity and bathroom access.In the future Sanchez hopes to host events like birthday parties and baby showers in the space.
Vendors can request a booth space by emailing rockgarden830@gmail.com or messaging The Rock Garden through Facebook.
The Rock Garden was named for the parable of the mustard seed in verse Matthew 17:20. In the verse, Jesus said that faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains.
“People live their life not knowing that there’s hope and they’re loved by God – and that is so easy to share, so easy to say; I mean it doesn’t take very much to, and it can change the future, the situation, the problem. It can just be like a ripple, it’ll change your life forever.” Sanchez said. “That’s kind of what I want to do for the kids…I don’t want them to say ‘because I came from nothing, I’m gonna be nothing.’”
Attendees of the Dec. 13 Christmas themed market event visit with each other. (Photo courtesy of Alice Sanchez)
Sanchez believes that everyone has a God-given talent, and that it is found through developing a skill set, whether it be baking or jewelry work. She also feels strongly that individuals must possess practical skills, so that, if needed, they can establish things like a landscaping business or sell unprocessed foods like eggs.
“You have everything you need to be…prosperous, to make a change in the world, to make a change in the future… we don’t know what God has in store for us until we start developing it,” Sanchez said.
Sanchez hopes to establish a relationship with local high schools and offer a practical class on business plans and marketing strategies that would culminate in real-world experience where they could sell their products at her marketplace.
“Who knows what these little kids have in their head?” Sanchez asked. She decided it might be ideas that change the world.
Sanchez, who had a dream about the property 30 years before she purchased it, said “I believe that this ground has a special purpose for me and all who come here. It’s a space created for the community of Knippa and surrounding areas to gather and socialize, check up on each other, and an opportunity to share the gifts that God has given to us all. I’m excited for the future events and excited to see my friends again.”
Sanchez hopes to hold the next market in Februrary.
kalejandro@ulnnow.com, 830-278-3335
Comments are closed.