Downtown Harlingen Director Edward Meza welcomed about 30 people Thursday morning to discuss some of the latest news from downtown merchants. Sponsored by the Harlingen Chamber of Commerce, coffee and breakfast tacos were served as business owners took turns talking about their products and services and promoted upcoming events.
Meza said he has recently talked with three individuals interested in opening businesses in the downtown area.”There are more new people wanting to open businesses downtown,” he said. “That’s always good news.”
Victor Leal, owner of Cybernation and chamber ambassador, reminded those in attendance about the importance of networking, and urged everyone to take advantage of chamber-sponsored gatherings to make business connections.”It’s really important we get out there and shake hands,” he said. “You are missing out on opportunities if you are not.”
Harlingen Farmers Market manager Kate McSwain updated the group on the growth of the weekly market since it opened in October at its new location at Second and Tyler. The number of vendors has grown to more than 30 each Saturday, and numbers of customers has reached highs of about 700. “The vendors really love the new location,” she said. “We have the largest number of produce vendors of any farmers market in the Valley.”
McSwain also plugged the farmers market’s largest fundraiser of the year, Taste of the Market, coming on April 26 from 5:30-8 p.m. Five chefs will be on hand at the Jackson Square Events Center to prepare dishes using ingredients from market vendors for guests to sample. Tickets for Taste of the Market are $60 per person.