The Marketplace in downtown Iola offers one-stop shopping for your Christmas list.
About 25 vendors have their wares for sell at the spacious building at 5 E. Madison. Items include furniture, interior decor, food and clothing.
For those big on consumables, several booths sell homemade jams, jellies and relishes, sure to please ever palate.
Other practical gifts include hand-knitted hats, scarves and mittens. Tea towels and tablecloths also make lovely gifts as well as hand-sewn quilts and blankets.
For those of a more frivolous nature, there’s lot of glam on hand with fun purses and jewelry. There’s even a booth — Barkin’ Bling — that features handmade garb and treats for Fido. The winter jackets are adorable.
The majority of booths sell items that dress up the home whether it be with serious furniture like antique sideboards and dressers, or with decorations that range from country to city glitz.
Several booths have Christmas decorations in stock, including ornaments and centerpieces.
The store opened in May and is managed by Frances Daniels. Kim Strickler, formerly of Iola, owns the building that once housed Farm Bureau.
Vendors are primarily from southeast Kansas, including the communities of Humboldt, Yates Center, Bronson, Burlington, Garnett and Iola. One booth’s owner hails from Topeka.
Come the first part of the year, plans are to open an upscale consignment shop on the mezzanine level.
“We’re trying to get people to shop Iola,” said Daniels, noting there’s also a booth with discounted items.
The Marketplace offers shopping convenience
