Market Manager Lynn Kroesen turns passion into priority

TAMPA, Fla. (July 20, 2017)—Lynn Kroesen’s love for markets comes from her Midwest roots. Today, she serves as the manager of the year-round Ybor City Saturday Market.

“I came looking for a market,” she said. “The only one I found was in Ybor City.”

Kroesen is the newest face in the Ybor City Development Corporation’s video web series Faces of Ybor. The two-minute testimonials share inspiring stories from people who thrive in Ybor City. The series includes topics on education, redevelopment, new businesses and much more.

The Ybor City Saturday Market launched in the late 1990s with about a dozen vendors.  The stay-at-home mom turned entrepreneur started as a vendor herself.

“I created a bath and body line and sold products for about a year at the market,” said Kroesen. “When the current manager of the market left, I decided to pursue it myself.”

Today, it’s grown to more than 70 vendors. Some have even moved into brick and mortar locations.

“I took it to the next level,” she said. “We have everything from arts and crafts, jewelry, cigars, produce, fresh bread and more.”

The Ybor City Saturday Market is open year-round, rain or shine.

“I’m an empty nester,” said Kroesen. “My kids are off to college so now I live, work and play in Ybor.”

To see more videos from the series, visit www.yborcityonline.com.