Diversity, variety hallmarks of event at former campus
During an event Jan. 4 honoring the twoyear anniversary of Taylor Market Days, Quoc Duy Pham recalled the beginning of the venture, likening the bazaar to a relationship.
The first pop-up market Pham held at Old Taylor High, 410 W. Seventh St., in 2023 was a rush of excitement for him, like the beginning stages of a romantic crush.
“The first time … it’s like seeing that girl you really want for the first time. … You get this anxiety — (are) they gonna show up to your date?” Pham said. “And then, they show up and you have, like, that perfect date. … That was the first impression I had here (at the market), like all these people came out here, and it was very cool and butterfly(like feelings).”
As the pop-up observed the start of a second year, Pham acknowledged the “fun project” required more serious and creative efforts to run a consistent course.
“Now, we gotta communicate and, you know, be consistent here and keep giving to the community, but mixing it up — like going on a date, you know, so the relationship doesn’t get boring,” he said.
With steadfastness comes branding, leading Austin-based graphic designer Christian Herrera to design a unique Taylor Duck character featured on the logo and all the advertising after noticing differences in early handbills.
“Being consistent with just the look of everything kind of helps with advertising and stuff,” he said. “I knew that was something he (Pham) kind of needed, and that’s something I can do.”
Through this work, Herrera has found a friend in Pham and a community with fellow small-business owners. He runs a table for his operation, The Sloof, selling clothes with original designs that are hand-screen printed.
“It’s (Taylor Market Days) different from all the other markets, I would say. You actually build a relationship with people here,” Herrera said.
When it comes to coming up with new ideas for advertising or events, Pham likes to take things as they come.
To make each pop-up special, Pham said he often researches if the market days land on holidays he can create a theme out of, no matter how obscure.
“That’s the beauty of creativity. … The idea just naturally comes to you,” he said. “When I run the market or make video content, it’s just whatever I’m feeling in that moment.”
Coming from Vietnamese heritage, Pham is proud to be able to share the celebration of the Lunar New Year with the Taylor community.
The holiday, typically observed in Asian countries such as Vietnam, China, South Korea and more, celebrates the arrival of spring and the new year on the lunisolar calendar, according to the National Museum of Asian Art.
This year, the Lunar New Year lands on Jan. 29, but Pham plans to host his market celebration in February to allow time to coordinate with the Old Taylor High building owners, book a traditional lion dance group and possibly have his daughter participate in the festivities.
“I’m planning all that out, you know, just to bring in more Asian culture here,” Pham said.
The market is held at the old high school campus 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. the first and third Saturday of the month, with up to 50 vendors selling vintage finds or handmade products both inside and outside the building.
“ “We gotta communicate and … be consistent here and keep giving to the community, but mixing it up.”
— Quoc Duy Pham, organizer
