SPOKANE, Wash. – The Kendall Yards Night Market marks the start of summer for many in Spokane, offering a chance for vendors to showcase their unique products to the community.
Visitors are encouraged to come to the night market to explore a variety of offerings. Vendors sell everything from kettle corn and lemonade to handmade baked goods. One vendor mentioned, “I bake all the time and it’s all handmade – it’s just me.” Another highlighted, “the trending snacks and all of that kind of stuff that you see on TikTok.”
Community engagement is a highlight for those setting up shop in Kendall Yards. A vendor shared, “oh just the people, it’s so fun to just see all the different people that come, and I have customers that come back that I didn’t get to see until now and so it’s been really fun.”
The market also serves as a significant source of income for local businesses. “We do the bulk of our sales during the summer markets,” one vendor explained.
Casey Boeey, a local vendor, created Booey’s Gourmet in search of the perfect hot sauce. His business has become an Inland Northwest staple, and his daughter Jasmine has joined the family endeavor. Jasmine recalled, “he’s just been making that. Like you would get home, and your eyes would burn, and you would be like ‘oh dad’s made sauce today.'”
Booey’s Gourmet emphasizes local production, with everything from manufacturing to the logo design being locally sourced. Casey said, “a friend of mine told me about a place in Hayden Lake that was trying to go from their own retail and wholesale stuff to doing nothing, but commercial kitchen and they’re called Shaffer Farms in Hayden Lake.”
Jasmine expressed pride in her father for pursuing his dreams, while Casey highlighted his connection to the Spokane community during the market season. “You know I might be grouchy or quiet but when I’m cooking for you that’s my way to give you love and give you a hug. And so, I’m hugging Spokane. That’s the way I look at it.”
