By: Jessie Monsivais Photo by: Robert Gomez
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ElenabrFlores, owner and Chingona behind Sew Bonita and Loca for Local pop-up events, originates from the border town of Eagle Pass, Texas. Shebrpioneered a sewing venture in November of 2014. What began as a hobby afterbrattending several classes and teaching herself the basics of sewing, SewbrBonita was officially launched into the world. Elena says she loves to craft and create things that arebrbright, bold, beautiful, and full of shine! Sew Bonita is a reflection of herbrobsession with every part of her Mexican culture.
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Loca for Local debuted after Elena noticed a “pop-up”brtrend happening all over the country. She took her online company, Sew Bonita,bralong with a group of her vendor friends and created Loca for Local.
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“I thought: ‘Why can’t I do this here? Why can’t I hostbran exclusive market with other creators that don’t have a store and make it abrunique shopping experience for both customers and vendors?’ So I did justbrthat,” Elena explains of the event’s origin story. “Being a creative allows me to be a part of a creativebrcommunity that supports each other’s ideas. So I asked 6 of my vendor friends,brand they all said yes, and that’s how it all started. Our first one was superbrsuccessful, and it kept on growing.”
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After the first Loca for Local pop-up, the event grewbrfrom 6 vendors to 11. Elena shares how gracious The Post was to host those twobrevents there. “The community loved it and embraced us all! Then we grewbrto 25 vendors, and are now hosting our markets at BUS 3 times a year!”
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Most of the vendors are predominantly women-ownedbrbusinesses, while some are couple owned. Elena shares how she and the vendorbrcommunity dubbed their markets, Loca for Local.
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“Corpus Christi has been so good to us, and there is sobrmuch talent here. We are crazy about our city, and the untapped potential itbrhas pertaining to small business. Our markets have also attracted out of townbrvendors as well, so they get to come here, spend the night here, eat here andbrhelp boost the local economy,” Elena shares passionately. Talk about a win-win-win-win-win.
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This weekend, shoppers can expect to be a part of a funbrand unique shopping experience celebrating the legacy of Frida Kahlo. Loca forbrLocal is free to the public, and both dog and family-friendly. This year the pop upbrwill include 25 different vendors selling a variety of goods and 3 food trucks. From a paleta giveaway from thebrnewest downtown business Fresco, to a braid bar, face painting, and photo-opt setups, attendees will have plenty to do! Not to mention, lively entertainmentbrprovided by DJ Weasel, a product drive for Period Corpus Christi, a hugebrgiveaway and so much more!
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We’ll end this with Elena’s closing thoughts: “We hope everyone comes and gets Loca with us!” And, with that, you’ll definitely be able to catch us there.
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Loca for Local
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Saturday at 3 PM – 8 PM
BUS
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702 N. Chaparral St., Corpus Christi, Texas 78401
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