Mardesich and Maddi Mardesich-Klein are shown here at The Farmer’s Wives Boutique. Kourtney Becker and Brooke Mardesich not shown.

GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) – The Farmer’s Wives Boutique at the Kentucky & Hazel Street corner in Gridley celebrated one year in business with a delightful block party from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 1.  A number of street vendors and many enthusiastic shoppers showed up for the event.

The Farmer’s Wives Boutique opened last August, originally on Spruce Street. Partners Kourtney Becker, Brooke & Ally Mardesich, & Maddi Mardesich-Klein made the decision to move to the larger Hazel Street location for more visibility and foot traffic.

Some remodeling has been done, but the older building has a rustic charm. According to the plaque on the outside, Hall’s General Store occupied the location, and it was built about 1885.

Here is Cassie Dunlap of Wild Rye Farm Stand with some of her merchandise.

Dozens of customers thronged the store, eager to find good deals on children’s and women’s clothing, locally made jewelry, Christmas ornaments, hats, toys and custom-made decorative signs. There were so many people in the store that the Gridley Herald was barely able to snap some pictures.

Outdoors, there were at least seven vendors, some with stores downtown, and some without. One vendor, Cassie Dunlap of Wild Rye Farm Stand, came from Dixon. Dunlap offers homegrown vegetables, homemade preserves, organic syrup and a body scrub. Dunlap is a stay-at-home mom with two children, who does this business as a part-time job without a brick-and-mortar storefront.

The Sweetie’s store in Gridley is also celebrating one year in business at the Uptown Girls Block Party.

When asked how she likes having her own business, Dunlap said “It’s great. It allows me to work at home, and I have two children, getting them involved with gardening and making things, I think is really fruitful for them as well.”

At another booth, Eliza Sannar advertised the opening this month of “The Pilates Room,” two doors down from the Farmer’s Wives Boutique. Sannar offered a drawing for store discounts. Pilates is a system of physical conditioning developed by Joseph Pilates, emphasizing posture, flexibility, balance and overall body awareness through repetitive exercises. The exercises can be beneficial for arthritis Sannar said, which is one reason she became interested in the program.

Custom-designed hats, offered by Taya LaForce and family, are seen here outside of Farmer’s Wives Boutique.

 

Music and a food truck, “Potato, Pototo,” made the event fun for all. Gridley’s own “Sweeties” was present, celebrating one year in business as well.

Many thanks to Farmer’s Wives Boutique for planning and sponsoring this event. Best wishes for success to all of the small business who participated.