These Night Markets Are Lighting Up Cities
As farmers markets and food truck rallies now seemingly pop up everywhere, a new nocturnal trend has recharged the street food scene and illuminated the rich potential hidden in long-forgotten neighborhoods across the US. Inspired by the late-night street markets found in many Asian cities, more and more night markets have taken root stateside to expose a rich, cultural melting pot that has largely simmered unnoticed to US audiences. Here, we take a look at the most popular night markets shedding light on local culture from coast-to-coast.
Image Credit: Jaxsons Night Market
Jaxsons Night Market is a year-round attraction in downtown Jacksonville, FL held every third Thursday of the month from 5:30-9:00p in Hemming Park. Taking advantage of Florida’s warm climate, Jaxsons Night Market is the only uninterrupted, year-round night market held in the U.S.
Image Credit: Jaxsons Night Market
Jaxsons (a nickname for people living in Jacksonville), began both as a way to draw foot traffic downtown on a weeknight as well as a unique small business incubation opportunity. Book-ending the popular Downtown Art Walk held on the 1st Wednesday of each month, the market is held two weeks later on the 3rd Thursday of the month. This bi-weekly special event structure helps support existing downtown merchants by flooding the streets of downtown with thousands of potential customers.
Image Credit: Jaxsons Night Market
Image Credit: Jaxsons Night Market
Not only does the market support existing brick and mortar businesses, it also doubles as an incubator aimed at permanently filling empty, urban storefronts. At the onset, the market was highly curated with a specific mix of food-related small businesses that had the capacity and interest in expanding. By participating in the night market, these business owners developed relationships with residents and workers within the urban core to test out the viability of their concepts to the very audience in which they would potentially be selling to on a long-term basis. On the back end, market organizers worked with these merchants in identifying real estate opportunities and assisting with lease negotiations and financing arrangements. Since the market’s inception two years ago, a dozen of these merchants have either opened permanent brick and mortar spaces or have expanded to a second permanent location.
Image Credit: Jaxsons Night Market
While many night markets do not stray too far away from their far eastern roots, Jaxsons Night Market offers a more ‘southern-fried’ slate of vendors that reflect the unique, southern coastal environment found in Jacksonville. In addition to food trucks, the market is filled with fashion trucks, artisan food vendors, a craft beer garden featuring local brewers, live music and local producers of handcrafted goods.