Jackson Free Press

When Jim and Linda Burwell opened Mimi's Family and Friends restaurant in Fondren this spring, they wanted to influence the neighborhood beyond the restaurant's walls. Jim, inspired by the community that grew around the Greater Belhaven Market—which has now merged with the High Street Farmer's Market—envisioned a neighborhood flea market to bring local residents together for a daytime celebration of local arts and culture.

Burwell's brainchild now has a name and an opening date: The Market In Fondren and June 19. Burwell enlisted the help of developer Mike Peters to secure a space—the open parking lot across North State Street from Mimi's. Fondren resident Robert Mann has pitched in to help register musicians, vendors and volunteers.

Burwell hopes to hold the market monthly or even twice a month, but the June event will be a test run. "We're going to do one to make sure we should do more than one," Burwell said.

The market will run from 8 a.m. to noon. Live music will accompany the offerings. For the June 19 market, Mann has lined up performances by Taylor Hildebrand, Josh Little, Liver Mousse, Valley Gordon. Of the 34 vendor slots available, 17 are already filled. Among the artists featured are photographer Josh Hailey, painter Scott Sorenson, and painter and sculptor Roz Roy.

Handicrafts by Susan Marquez and jewelry by Elizabeth Robinson among others, will be on sale, along with prepared foods like pickles and jams. Jim Burwell is adamant that the market's food offerings not compete with area restaurants. Burwell is also planning to host activities for children in a separate section of the market.

For more information, call Jim Burwell at 601-832-4396.