One year after it landed on the scene, Benito Lubazibwa’s Night Market has grown into a fire-breathing rendition of an open-air market. The Little Rock Night Market entices “shop local” enthusiasts and nightlife revelers to share the same space at the same time.
On the first Friday night of the month, the downtown River Market District lights up. It is the Farmer’s Market’s cool cousin. Serving up open-air shopping spiked with live music, dancing, and other cool acts. By cool, I mean hot acts. A recent market featured performers who literally breathed fire into the evening sky! Little Rock Night Market’s official motto is “One Love. One City.”
The Night Market is a project of Remix Ideas, a venture launched by Lubazibwa two years ago. Remix Ideas aims to boost entrepreneurship, especially among local minority populations. It pushes would-be entrepreneurs off the sidelines and into the game.
Starting in 2017, before Lubazibwa conceived the Night Market, Remix Ideas hosted “pitch competitions.” The events awarded $1K to $5K to the hopeful entrepreneur who swayed the audience with the best business idea. What these pitch competitions gave attendees was more than the ordinary technical business exhibition. These were particularly fun social affairs. The events were relatable. No need to learn how to spit startup buzzwords like “pitch deck” or “lean startup.” Remix Ideas has the Midas Touch that turns a smart event fun.
Most importantly, these events make good on the promise to bring more people into the local startup ecosystem.
Now, Little Rock Night Market gives these new ventures a place to fit in with the community. The event makes space for local artisans and new entrepreneurs to display their wares. For some, it is an opportunity to take that crucial leap and put ideas into action. A chance to stop just dreaming of starting a business and put their money where the music is.
Speaking of music, the upcoming September 6th Night Market will feature live musical entertainment, including a performance by singer LB Crew. The Arkansas native’s performance of “Waves” got a four-chair turn on Season 16 of the hit television show, The Voice.
With a growing lineup of entertainment, the monthly marketplace is becoming more than a progressive showcase of local entrepreneurial empowerment. It is adding real heat to Little Rock’s nightlife scene. “It’s more than just a market, it’s a nightlife experience,” says Lubazibwa. “Great Food. Great Vendors. Great Music.” Enough said.
