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Bags of fresh walnuts from the two trees in Grant Jensen's backyard were going fast on the opening day of the People's Market -- much to the young entrepreneur's delight.
After years of selling the nuts door-to-door in his neighborhood, the 11-year-old learned of the People's Market and three years ago set up the Jensen Brothers Walnuts booth. Co-proprietor is his brother Parker, 15. Their mom, Linda Knudsen, supervises and helps crack nuts.
"These are 100 percent natural," said Knudsen. "We know how they grew, what they've been through and they've been cracked with tender loving care."
"And a hammer," added Grant.
The Parker brothers' booth is one of two taking advantage of the People's Market young entrepreneur's initiative, which allows anyone age 17 or younger to set up a booth for a $1-a-week fee.
The market, which operates between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. at International Peace Gardens in Salt Lake City, opened Sunday under blue skies. It is scheduled to continue every Sunday through October 25.
Volunteer organizers launched the market four years ago to encourage west-side entrepreneurship and neighborliness. They estimate the market generates about $100,000 for the local economy.
The number of vendors at the People's Market has doubled this year to 60.
"Our tagline says it all -- local goods, entrepreneurship and diversity," said Kyle LaMalfa, founder. "What we're all about is supporting local vendors."
With that aim, the market allows local businesses to set up booths four times during the season -- something that sets it apart from other markets that bar commercial enterprises. It also operates a barter board where services or trade items can be advertised.
This year's booths offer vegetables and plants, jewelry, photography, artwork, environmentally friendly clothing, hand-knit caps, cheese and cheesecake, henna tattoos and handicrafts. Food booths offer dishes from China, Pakistan and Argentina and, closer to home, some made by Americans Indians.
Some past vendors have now "graduated" to real businesses, LaMalfa said. Among them: Big John's Cajun, which now operates as Soul & Bones BBQ on 24th Street in Ogden.
"We like to take credit for some of his success," LaMalfa said.
Future success stories may include the young entrepreneurs the market fosters. Grant and Parker save half their money in a college fund and may do as they wish with the rest. Grant saves that share, too.
"It's giving my children an opportunity to learn they can make money," Knudsen said. "They know how to save and how to earn the money before they spend the money."
At her booth, 12-year-old Hannah Harvey offers honey, bee pollen, fresh strawberries and little bags of homegrown catnip that have received approval of her cats. The family has hives in three locations around the city.
"I helped harvest the honey last fall," she said. "It's not really that hard."
Hannah gets a one-third share of the profits, which she banks until Christmas and then uses to buy gifts.
"It's really fun," she said of being an entrepreneur. "You actually get to do something besides sitting on the couch and eating potato chips. You get to learn where different stuff comes from -- how cheese is made, where honey comes from, where vegetables are grown."
The market also is about building community and making friends. That has included "some next-door neighbors who met here," LaMalfa said.
"It brings people together," added Nan Weber, organizer of the market's upcoming Book Day and Poetry Slam. "We all get to know one another and all of a sudden you find you have similar interests. It makes it like you belong here."
When » Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where » International Peace Gardens, 1000 S. 900 West
What » Produce, entrepreneurs, music, friends
Upcoming » July 19 is Jordan River and Environmental Awareness Day; August 9 is Book Day and Poetry Slam, featuring local authors; August 30 is Pet Day.
