Festivals and open markets can be found scattered from the Brickyard to downtown Raleigh throughout the year, but Glenwood South has come alive at night this spring and summer.

Glenwood South Monthly Markets aims to bring daylight back to the Glenwood South neighborhood.

The last Saturday of every month, North Street at Glenwood is lined with tents of regional vendors from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monthly Markets brings together vendors of all kinds, but more importantly it brings neighbors together.

“It is kind of a mix … lots of different people and has a lot of variety to excite the people that come and visit,” said Mor Aframian, an N.C. State alumna and planner for Monthly Markets.

The idea of the Monthly Markets sprouted in conversation about five months ago when neighbors in Glenwood South saw their neighborhood as undervalued in comparison to Fayetteville Street, according to Aframian.

“Not everyone lives in the center of the city, and it would be nice to spread out the events. I lived in Cameron Village, and Glenwood is a lot closer to me than the farmers market on Fayetteville street,” said Aframian. 

The monthly markets were planned and coordinated by Legacy Event Planners and the Glenwood South Merchant’s Association. Aframian does her part by coordinating the logistics of the events and making sure everything runs smoothly. The objective is to bring a little of something for everyone to the markets by brainstorming different businesses to reach out to. 

“Glenwood can sometimes be thought about as a nighttime place,” Aframian said. “We wanted to provide the opportunity for neighbors in the Glenwood area to walk down the street and get people interested in Glenwood again.” 

The vendors at the Monthly Markets offer everything from handbags, jewelry, fresh produce, locally made clothing and accessories, chiropractic and health services to home improvement and renovation tools. 

The goal of the market is to create an easy and accessible way for the community to support local businesses and shop for the things they need without having to make a long commute into the center of downtown. 

Aframian said the objective of the markets was “something that would bring people to the streets during the day … crafters, farmers, everyone all together.”

The markets began in May and the last Monthly Market will be this Saturday, July 27. Legacy Event Planners will then regroup to come up with ideas for fall festivals and holiday events.