If you happen to be walking through Sarasota's Rosemary District on the first Thursday of the month and get a whiff of vegan soul food wafting through the sounds of groovy live music, you've probably stumbled upon the Rosemary Night Market.

The Night Market launched June 1 at the Overton. Nearly 500 attendees walked the Boulevard of the Arts, where dozens of local vendors offered everything from Asian-style tacos to handmade jewelry and art. The night was "an all-around feel-good setting," says Morgan Bettes, the market's manager. "It's a really fun, hip and laid-back night. Grab a cocktail, have a snack, do some shopping, meet your friends."

The Night Market was dreamed up by Ascend Wireless CEO Don Patterson, the Overton's Christian Hershman and SaraFresh Juice founder Lynn Morris to celebrate and draw attention to the rapidly expanding Rosemary District. The trio say the celebration of community was extremely important to them, especially after the hardships due to the Covid-19 pandemic. 

The Rosemary Night Market will continue to take place the first Tuesday of every month at the Overton from 5-8 p.m. Attendees can expect "bigger and better" markets in the future, says Bettes: "Greater community impact and community engagement each market—and, of course, more tasty, locally made, small-batch cuisine."