Joliet vendors hit it big during ballpark fair

Attendees at the ELEVATE Vendor PopUp Shop couldn’t help but be drawn to a display of colorful and heavenly scented candles.

Ashley Bester-Barnett, owner of Scents & Such, said she started making candles 13 years ago to help cope with anxiety. Family and friends encouraged Bester-Barnett to start her own business, which she did in December 2019.

But after participating in a few pop-up events, the COVID-19 pandemic arrived, and Bester-Barnett focused on building her online presence. Bester-Barnett was excited for potential customers to actually see and smell her candles. She pointed out her newest and most favorite scent, which she created in memory of her mother.

“She died of cancer 21 years ago,” Bester-Barnett said.

Eighty local businesses were present Saturday to share their products with the community, with an anticipated attendance of 700 to 1,000 people, according to event organizer Charlene Boyd Payton.

ELEVATE Vendor PopUp Shop will continue from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday at DuPage Medical Group Field, located at 1 Mayor Art Schultz Drive in Joliet.

Features include live entertainment, local vendors, food trucks, activities for kids and adults and a Little League game from 3 to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Admission is $6.

Payton said part of the proceeds would benefit two local nonprofits.

One is After the Peanut, based in Plainfield, that “focuses on the power of knowledge and education in the face of adversity and challenges,” its website said.

The other is recipient is Seven Mountains LLC, “a mission-driven enterprise to change the world through large-scale events that bring people together and by empowering new leaders to advance the movement for social justice,” according to its website.

Seven Mountains LLC was founded by Tycee Bell, who, along with Marcus Cage and Kyla Brooks, were present at the event showcasing the new app Joliet Focus, a safe place to share photos, artwork, essays, articles, poems and other thoughts on experiences living in Joliet.

Joliet Focus was also one of the event sponsors. Bell and Cage said they wanted to share app information with people, support local businesses and engage with the community.

Payton said last year’s event at the Holiday Inn & Suites in Joliet had fewer vendors but still attracted approximately 250 attendees. She moved the event to DuPage Medical Group Field this year because she needed more space and and because of encouragement from her father.

“My dad had me plan bigger,” Payton said, adding she intends to make ELEVATE Vendor PopUp Shop an annual event.

One vendor also has big plans. Chandra Pinnick of Chandra’s Crafts & Gifts said she started her business five years ago as a way to raise money to send her three children to college.

Pinnick sells items such as “blinged” cups, tote bags, earrings and coasters. Although business is good, Pinnick feels it can always be better, which is why she was participating in the ELEVATE Vendor PopUp Shop.

“It’s a way to get my business out there,” Pinnick said.

Sitting bedside Pinnick was her brother, Brian Jackson, owner of 725 Tees and More. Jackson said he can “put anything on a T-shirt” and is launching a hat line, too. Jackson said he came out hoping to make a few sales.

“And network with people,” Jackson said.

Twenty local businesses who “have paved the way for others to start and run successful businesses,” a news release for the event said, were honored Saturday.

Pastors and other members of the clergy are encouraged to attend on Sunday as time will be allotted for them to greet the community.

For more information, email charbpevents@gmail.com or call 708-574-7870.