New holiday venue: Daisy Salem welcomes vendors to historic setting

By Brenna Wiegand

First Friday just keeps getting better as Silverton continues to fly its flag as one of Oregon’s Coolest Small Towns, so named by Budget Travel magazine in 2009.

Plus, those in the know, know that Silverton is also Santa Claus’ favorite place to visit during December, well, anytime really.

Believing it would be a shame to have the currently vacant Wolf Building closed during the most popular First Friday of the year when Santa is in town and holiday cheer abounds, Daisy Salem decided she had an opportunity to help small, craft businesses.

“I love going to Saturday markets in the summer but I’d wonder where the vendors go in the winter,” Salem said.

In 2004, Moe Salem rescued and restored the crumbling Wolf Building, built in 1891 by Adolf Wolf of Wolf & Son General Merchandise. It later became Ames Hardware around 1910 and many still remember when Hande Hardware occupied the space.

It took a year of extensive rehabilitation to bring the Wolf to its present condition which includes four upstairs apartments.

For Dec. 6 and Dec. 7, Daisy Salem is creating a Winter Wonderland Marketplace at the Wolf Building.

“I thought it would be fun to have something free and fresh to do,” she said, “People can grab a tasty pastry or some kettle corn and coffee at the Marketplace and watch the tree-lighting ceremony from the heated building. It will be a great place for Christmas shopping as there is something for every age group.

Her vendor spots are filled, live music lined up, free gift baskets filled by vendors will be raffled off and Salem’s decking the halls for what she hopes will be a warm, bustling part of First Friday.

Vendor Aleksandra Larionov of Silverton is from a large family and learned to cook at a tender age. The mother of five has been selling scones, jelly rolls, pumpkin rolls, cookies, brownies and filled Russian pastries at outdoor markets the past four years.

“It keeps me busy all summer long,” she said. “Sometimes at the Silverton Market we did better than in Salem. I know there are some customers that will sure be glad to see us at the Wolf Building.”

Her sister-in-law Julie Larionov of Delightful Goods makes artisan pasta and gourmet nut brittles. She too, learned her way around the kitchen early. As an adult Julie began delighting friends and family with the creations she’s always tweaking with new flavors and ingredients. The brittles start with the recipe of an elderly neighbor who used to give it to them at Christmastime.

Her specialty is fresh pasta with varieties that include lemon pepper, garlic basil and tomato basil.

“Daisy approached me at the Salem Saturday Market,” she said. “I love to do it and I just feel really honored that I was asked to part in this two-day market event, especially in my own town.”

David Titchenal, Momentous Images, is a Silverton man who works with photos to create sports art he says are not your typical action photo.

“They are images of momentous sports events that are more abstract,” Titchenal said, “with different colors and eye attractions that appeal to men and women alike,”

“This is my first public go,” he added. “It’s exciting and nerve wracking at the same time because you’re putting yourself out there, but you’ve got to start somewhere.”

Other booths feature woodwork, jewelry, handkerchiefs, blankets, stained glass, Eco-dyed clothing, accessories and home decor, milk soaps, perennial plants, crafts, home decor and kettle corn.

Of course, numerous surrounding shops offer a plethora of shopping opportunities, many featuring handmade creations by local artisans.

“We knew there were a lot of talented people in town,” said Monte Finney of Silverton Green Store. “We had at one time 24-25 people who got to bring merchandise in for a flat fee. It helped us with initial costs and offered people a very cheap alternative to trying to open a business which can run thousands of dollars per month. Then if they made it they could grab one of these business fronts that are closed, open a business … and start working for themselves, which is the American dream.”