MISTI APPLEBY wasn’t born in Bedford County, but it sure feels like home to her. After moving to Murfreesboro in 2005, she and her husband realized they wanted more of a small-town lifestyle. They searched until they settled in Bedford County in 2014. They love how people look out for each other.
After starting The Fruity Lemon, a lemonade-based food truck, in 2017, she began participating in special events and vendor shows. After experiencing the rising cost of being a vendor and realizing that Bedford County wasn’t offering many art and craft fairs, she decided to try organizing one on the Shelbyville Square in October 2019.
Misti considers the Shelbyville square to be the prettiest one she has seen. She loves the variety of businesses and the curb appeal. The mayor’s office was exceptionally helpful in getting the first event off the ground. They started with about 25 vendors and four food trucks. They quickly grew to over 50 vendors with high praise from both vendors and event participants.
Keeping the vendor experience top-notch at a reasonable rate to attract the best craftspeople and providing a great variety of vendors are her two main pri- orities. Misti loves highlighting talented local artisans to sell their unique wares, whether soap, jewelry, food, art, brooms, or wooden spoons. Providing area resi- dents and tourists great shopping and food options is why Misti started Maker’s Market. Even though she has been organizing these events on the Shelbyville square for two years she still hears locals say, “I didn’t realize Shelbyville had anything like this.”
Maker’s Market events include hourly door prizes and children’s activities, like bounce houses. There are always delicious food options and unique items you can’t find anywhere else.
