Del Paso design market delights

On Del Paso Boulevard, there’s a place where designers, artisans and chefs come together to provide a vibrant shopping experience unique to the area. And it’s GOOD.

GOOD: street food + design market celebrated its birthday in early July – marking its third year as a destination dedicated as much to the culture as the products. The market, held the first Sunday of the month from June to December, promotes a deeper connection between shopper and the origin of the goods we consume.

“It’s a modern-day marketplace that highlights the local economy, local designers, artists, chefs, bartenders, that are all part of this progressive culture,” said Roshaun Davis. Davis and his wife Maritza run GOOD through their event agency, Unseen Heroes.
The market launched in 2012 as part of Del Paso Boulevard Partnership’s effort to rebrand the area as a design district. It is co-presented between Unseen Heroes and Del Paso Design District.
“I love it,” said shopper Amber Ramos. “It’s cool to see something like this happening in this spot.”
Unseen Heroes emphasizes the learning aspect for visitors by offering workshops in the past on how to make pasta or sugar skulls, or using summer fruits to make desserts.
“You’re going to come here and … learn something, and you’re going to learn it from someone who is right here in your backyard,” said Davis.
Courtney Smith, who purchased a ring from Sac-based vendor Tula in Bloom, said the GOOD experience is a different, more intimate way to shop.
“You can buy something or shop anywhere,” she said. “The connection with people who make what you buy – that’s the primary motivation for people to come.”

Rosaura Unangst, owner of Pigment & Parchment, is on the makers’ side of the equation. She designs and creates custom signs, cards, and household decorations and hosts DIY workshops in techniques like hand lettering and watercolor.
“There’s something that just comes from making something with your own two hands you don’t get from anywhere else,” she said. “To have it celebrated as much as it is now … it’s validating to what I’ve devoted my life to.”

“This is the best-curated event Sacramento has seen for local art,” said 25-year-old Preston Tillotson, who co-owns Sudz by Studz with Tyler Robinson, 23.
Davis said Unseen Heroes takes curating seriously to ensure an authentic creative environment. “We don’t do it to be mean, but to raise the bar and pull out people who really take pride in their craft and are doing amazing things,” he said.
Food is also a major draw to the event, with different food trucks, farmers market vendors with fresh fruit, and drinks.
Sacramento resident Janice Jackson attended GOOD for her first time in July and stumbled upon plenty of food finds, including olive oil and Sriracha hot sauce and salt.
Sac-based handmade specialty foods company Preservation & Co. featured its original Bloody Mary mix, which was named the second-best in the nation in a recent Bloody Mary mix competition hosted by Absolut Vodka. The drinks were strong and delicious, and will be featured at future GOOD markets.
“When you walk into the market, we focus on what people are hearing … seeing, what people are tasting, what people are touching. We focus on all five of the senses.”

The blending of the senses and the quality and enthusiasm of the vendors make GOOD a success.
“Unseen heroes has got it on lock,” Tillotson said. “They know what the community wants and they deliver.”
GOOD: Street Food + Design Market is held the first Sunday of each month at 1409 Del Paso Boulevard. The next market is this Sunday, Aug. 3 from 1 to 5pm.