Bridging the Gaps hosts marketplace Sunday

TEXARKANA, Ark. - Bridging the Gaps of Arkansas, a local nonprofit organization, will host its annual Mother's Day Marketplace this Sunday afternoon - a week in advance - and provide opportunities for small and at-home businesses to gain exposure.

The marketplace was canceled last year due to the pandemic.

Booths are available for $25 that small businesses can rent to sell from, and a small business workshop will be held before the booths open.

The workshop will be from 11:45 a.m. t0 12:45 p.m. Sunday and the booths will open at 1 p.m. The marketplace will be at the Sandflat Glendale Shannon Center, 209 E. 14th St.

"Our seniors have been working on various art projects, and they're trying to sell them to make money for the center," said Executive Director Barbara Pitts Riley. "The proceeds go back to the organization for their projects and our summer youth program, which will be starting up in June."

Pitts Riley said there is no dollar amount goal for the event, but last year they raised about $1,000 from it.

"What we're offering for new and emerging businesses is a venue for them to market whatever they've developed during the pandemic," she said. "It's to try to steer them into learning how to set up and operate - like helping them establish a checklist, as well as figuring out what is the need for their product, who will benefit from their business, what their market size is, etc."

Bridging the Gaps looks to help businesses with their social media presence, outreach, websites and much more.

"We try to be the catalyst that connects people to resources, individuals or whatever they need to get where they're trying to go," Pitts Riley said. "And we want to assist small businesses in getting established.

"This is a great opportunity to get that one-of-a-kind item for that special mother, sister or friend."

(There are still booths open for purchase. To inquire or learn more about Bridging the Gaps, call 888-978-8441.)

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