(This article was written by Lisa Campos and appeared in the April 2024 issue of Explore Harlingen Magazine.)
It takes a highly organized person to hold vendor markets. That person must communicate well, answer questions from various vendors, coordinate with the host, ensure the market has the right mix of vendors, check on vendors during the event, and ensure the market runs smoothly.
Edith Lee Romero, of Edith’s Elegant Candles, has been holding various vendor markets at Harlingen’s food truck park, The Moon Rock, since October 2023. What might be surprising is that she is only 27 years old.
Edith’s first market was a Halloween (her favorite holiday) market in 2023. It was so successful that people asked her to also organize a Christmas market. Both seasonal markets were a hit with vendors and customers alike. Now she has three back-to-back markets scheduled for March: a birthday market on March 16; an Emo Nights market on March 22; and a one-time farmers market for the Moon Rock’s second anniversary party on March 30.
Her markets average approximately 35 vendors, filling up every available space that isn’t taken by a food truck or customer seating at the Moon Rock.
Her vendors are so pleased with the turnouts of her markets that they reach out to her proactively. For example, Sweet Blazzing Pickles (a Harlingen-area maker of sweet and spicy pickles and relish) wrote her: “… for any of the events that you are hosting if you don’t mind to shoot me a reminder. I would really appreciate that! We like (your markets) quite a bit. They have turned out to be pretty good for us.”
Because of her markets’ consistency in attracting customers, owners of the Moon Rock have asked Edith to organize a new recurring market on the second Saturday of every month from 6 pm to 10 pm. Notes Edith, “Not only am I being in charge of these markets, but I still have my candle business.”
You would think that hosting various markets and owning her candle business would be plenty to do, yet Edith also has a part-time job working at her friend’s pet store, Sugar & Hayley Harness Wear, while training to become a funeral planner.
How does she do it all so proficiently? Edith gives props to Brenda Palomino, who she worked for at TSTC as a Student Event Organizer. She claims that Brenda “taught her everything she knows,” even more than the college curriculum itself. Edith earned an associate degree in business management and a bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership.
Edith is always looking ahead to see how she can enhance her business. She is currently testing out soaps and hopes to start selling them soon. Ideally, she would like to manage bigger events with the city of Harlingen or at the Harlingen Convention Center.
If you are a vendor who is interested in selling goods at one of Edith’s upcoming markets, you can direct message her on Facebook or Instagram (@edithselegantcandles) or fill out a vendor form (linktr.ee/edithsmarkets). Vendor fees are currently only $15 and you must supply your own table. Edith’s Elegant Candles is located at 901 W. Jackson, Suite D, by appointment only.