Copyright Baton Rouge Advocate
Tucked away in a renovated retail center near the corner of Tiger Bend and Antioch Roads is a haven full of antiques, artisans and art. The Artists Loft Market is a 9,000-square-foot space that features 72 eclectic vendors. However, the business may not be here today, were it not for a group of passionate vendors who wanted to save their happy place. When the rent was overdue and the last owner left in January, a group of about seven women who owned booths at the Artists Loft Market gathered together to come up with a plan to save the market. Donna Gaspard, who has been with the market since its opening in 2023, was one of those dedicated to keeping it open. Lisa Johnson, whose mother had a booth named "Mommacita's," took over the lease in May after her mother reached out to her for help. Johnson's friend Sharon LeBouef wanted to partner with her, and today, the space has been reinvigorated as home for vendors, collectors, artisans, bakers and creators. "I give all the credit to like Miss Donna and that core group of vendors that just really did not want to see it fail," Johnson said. "And then when you come and look at it, I mean, it has such a good little niche for this side of town." Open Thursday through Sunday, with the food court open on Saturdays, the marketplace features local artisans, handmade goods, vintage finds, upcycled treasures, refinished furniture and food from local vendors. Johnson is proud that Artist's Loft encourages the vendors to make their booth space their own. They are allowed to paint the walls and decorate the booths to create a personalized experience for shoppers. The Artist's Loft also rents wall space for artists, jewelry makers and photographers to display their work. One moment a shopper can get lost in a booth of vintage art, then turn around and become immersed in comic books. "It's more of a family atmosphere with the vendors," Gaspard said. "It's a place where you don't want to leave. And when you go, you want to go back. It's my happy place." Johnson and LeBouef invite local artisans and collectors to join in and participate in the community market space far from the other antique stores in Baton Rouge. Currently, all spaces are rented out except for three wall spaces, which are available. LeBouef and Johnson aim to support local artists to have the ability to sell their work, whether it be glitter cups and glitter tumblers, soaps, candles, paintings or wood carvings. The Artist's Loft Market is having a grand reopening from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 1 with pop-up vendors, food and music. "Our main goal is just to let the community know that we are here," Johnson said. "It is new and improved, and this is where you need to come. Especially for the holidays. We are right here in your backyard. Now, being the city of St. George, we are trying to really be out there for the community." Roger Butner, a local family counselor, discovered his passion for nature photography and displays his eye-catching photos at the Artists Loft Market.
