The Peddlers Passage

07/17/2026

✨ Founding Poet Spotlight: Mel Schlesinger ✨

Sometimes, the most meaningful journeys begin with a new chapter.

After retiring from a career specializing in senior health insurance and relocating to Tucson in 2026, Mel Schlesinger rediscovered his love of poetry following the loss of his wife. Today, he finds inspiration along the trails of Sabino Canyon, where nature, reflection, and hope often find their way into his writing.

Join us in The Poet's Hearth at approximately 3:45 PM as Mel shares poems that explore grief, healing, gratitude, and the quiet moments that remind us life continues to unfold in beautiful and unexpected ways.

📖 Featured poems may include:
• The Blessing of Grief
• Not Permanently Broken
• Unexplained Happiness
• A Meditation
• Night's Eyes
• Door to Tomorrow
• Celebrating the Rain

Come discover one of the many voices helping write the first chapter of The Peddlers Passage. 🌿📚

07/16/2026

🍓 Vendor Spotlight: Kristina's Kitchen 🍓

Every jar tastes a story.

At The Peddlers Passage, we're proud to welcome Kristina's Kitchen as one of our Founding Vendors!

Created by local artisan Kristina Brooks, founder of SunTree Skincare, Kristina's Kitchen brings the same passion for craftsmanship and quality into every handcrafted preserve.

Inspired by the vibrant flavors of the Southwest and Kristina's European heritage, each small-batch jam, salsa, pickle, and specialty preserve blends bold regional ingredients with cherished family traditions. Every recipe is thoughtfully crafted using carefully selected, seasonal ingredients to create flavors that are as memorable as the stories behind them.

Whether you're searching for the perfect charcuterie companion, a unique hostess gift, or a delicious addition to your own table, you'll find something special waiting on Kristina's shelves.

✨ Meet Kristina and discover her handcrafted flavors during our Grand Opening on July 18!

🍓 Southwest flavors with a European twist
🥫 Handcrafted in small batches
🌿 Thoughtfully selected, quality ingredients
❤️ Every jar tastes a story

Welcome to The Peddlers Passage, Kristina's Kitchen!

07/16/2026

✨ Founding Poet Spotlight: Erica Swadley ✨

At 86 years young, Erica Swadley proves that it's never too late to share your story.

Writing under the anagram Lady Wiseacre, Erica recently self-published her first chapbook, The Lives of Letters. Her poetry explores the beauty, humor, heartache, and resilience of growing older, offering an honest and deeply human perspective on aging, love, healing, and the enduring spirit.

Join us in The Poet's Hearth at approximately 11:20 AM as Erica shares selections from her moving collection When We Were Very Old. Through poems that celebrate the wisdom, wit, and vitality that continue long after youth has passed, she reminds us that every stage of life has a story worth telling.

📖 Featured poems may include:
• When We Were Very Old
• Skin Hunger
• Social Security
• Soul Train

Come listen, reflect, and celebrate one of the many remarkable voices you'll discover at The Peddlers Passage. 🌿📚

07/15/2026

🕯️ Founding Vendor Spotlight | The Plaid Buffalo Candle Co. 🖤🤍

Some of the best businesses begin with a simple question:
"There has to be a better way."

Meet Shelly, the maker behind The Plaid Buffalo Candle Co.

As an EMT, Shelly wanted a cleaner-burning candle she could feel good about bringing into her home. What began as a personal search for a healthier alternative has grown into a collection of hand-poured soy candles and handcrafted car freshies, each made with care and designed to bring a little comfort, warmth, and happiness to everyday life.

From fresh florals and cozy lavender to rugged western-inspired scents like Cowboy, Back Roads, and Ranch Hand, there's something waiting to become your new favorite. And don't miss her whimsical car freshies—they're as fun as they are fragrant!

You'll find The Plaid Buffalo Candle Co. nestled inside The Candle Nook when The Peddlers Passage opens its doors.

✨ Follow along:
📸
🌐 www.plaidbuffalocandles.com

We can't wait for you to experience Shelly's beautiful creations in person. 🤍

07/15/2026

🎶 Live Music at The Peddlers Passage Grand Opening! 🎶

We're delighted to welcome Gary Roberts to The Peddlers Passage for our Grand Opening Celebration!

🗓 Saturday, July 18
🕦 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM

As you wander through our marketplace of handcrafted treasures, vintage finds, books, art, and curiosities, Gary will be filling The Passage with live music to make your visit even more memorable.

Whether you're discovering your next favorite maker, enjoying our grand opening festivities, or simply soaking in the atmosphere, we hope you'll stop by, stay awhile, and enjoy the music.

✨ The Peddlers Passage Grand Opening
📍 Saturday, July 18
🕙 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

We'll also have 56 incredible local makers, author readings, poetry throughout the day, and gift bags for the first 50 customers, filled with handcrafted treasures from our makers.

We can't wait to welcome you through The Peddlers Passage

https://tucsonlovesmusic.com/events/ead0be6e-f961-477f-bfde-53480558743a

07/14/2026

📖✨ Founding Spotlight | Stephen Robitaille ✨📖

Every good marketplace has its storytellers.

We're delighted to welcome Stephen Robitaille to The Poet's Hearth at The Peddlers Passage.

A retired journalist and communications professional, Stephen spent more than a decade as a newspaper reporter, sharing in a Pulitzer Prize and earning numerous regional press association awards. After years of telling true stories through journalism and serving nonprofit organizations in Northern California, he's now turning his passion toward creative storytelling and poetry.

As you wander through The Peddlers Passage on Grand Opening Day, keep an ear open for a story. Stephen will be sharing his original work, "Time on Olympus," reminding us that some of the most memorable journeys begin with a single voice. If you'd like to catch his featured reading, plan to wander by The Poet's Hearth around 3:15 PM as his story comes to life.

Now calling Tucson home, Stephen says he enjoys the dry desert heat—and we're thrilled he's bringing his voice and imagination to The Passage.

We hope you'll join us at The Poet's Hearth and experience one of the many stories waiting to be discovered.

📚 Because every passage begins with a story.

07/14/2026

🌙✨ Founding Poet Spotlight | Melissa Young ✨🌙

Some poems are written to be read.

Others are written because they simply have to be.

We're honored to welcome Melissa Young to The Poet's Hearth at The Peddlers Passage.

A lifelong storyteller, Melissa found her voice in poetry after navigating the unexpected challenges of chronic illness. What began as a therapeutic outlet has blossomed into heartfelt works that weave together the beauty of nature, the realities of healing, enduring faith, and the quiet hope that carries us forward.

During our Grand Opening celebration, Melissa will be sharing three original poems:

🌊 The Iron Scuba Suit
🌙 The Ocean in the Sky
🌵 Desert Rain

Each invites us to slow down, notice the world around us, and find beauty even in life's most difficult seasons.

Melissa lives here in Tucson with her husband, Jim, their children, Ellie, Bennett, and Noah, and their beloved dogs, Luna and Lily. We are so grateful she'll be sharing a piece of her story with us.

✨ Featured Reading: Around 11:15 PM at The Poet's Hearth during our Grand Opening.

We hope you'll pause for a few moments and let Melissa's words become part of your journey through The Peddlers Passage.

07/13/2026

🌿 Vendor Spotlight: Greg Forst 🌿

Some traditions deserve to be passed from one generation to the next.

Meet Greg Forst, a talented local woodcarver whose passion goes far beyond creating beautiful pieces—he's dedicated to keeping the timeless art of woodcarving alive. As a proud member of the Southwest Woodcarvers Association, Greg has spent years honing his craft and sharing it with others who appreciate the patience, skill, and heart that go into every carving.

Each piece begins as an ordinary block of wood before slowly taking on a life of its own. From whimsical woodland gnomes and friendly characters to birds, seasonal pieces, and one-of-a-kind creations, every carving is shaped by hand and carries its own unique personality.

There's something wonderfully nostalgic about Greg's work. It reminds us of simpler days, handmade traditions, and the joy of creating something that will be treasured for years to come.

Greg's passion doesn't stop at carving. One of his greatest joys is sharing the craft with others. As The Peddlers Passage grows, Greg plans to host woodcarving workshops where he can teach the next generation, helping ensure this traditional art continues for years to come.

We're honored to welcome Greg and his remarkable carvings to The Peddlers Passage. Stop by, say hello, and discover a little piece of handcrafted artistry that just might follow you home.

✨ Handmade with patience.
🌲 Carved with purpose.
🤍 Crafted to keep a tradition alive.

07/12/2026

07/11/2026

✨ The shelves at The Peddlers Passage are filling with handcrafted treasures, vintage finds, and one-of-a-kind creations... and it's been incredible to watch The Passage come to life.

With our Grand Opening just around the corner, we have only a few shelves remaining for the right makers.

While several of our categories are now full or nearly full, we're still looking for exceptional artisans offering:

👒 Men's gifts & accessories
👜 Leather goods
🧩 Games, puzzles & hobby items
🧙 Fantasy, medieval & Renaissance-inspired goods
🎲 D&D, tabletop gaming & dice accessories
🌿 Herbs, spices, BBQ rubs & specialty seasonings
🍵 Tea blends
☕ Coffee
🍫 Specialty chocolates & confections
🐶 Pet accessories
📚 Authors & vintage or rare books

If your work doesn't fit neatly into one of these categories but you think it belongs at The Passage, we'd still love to hear from you. Some of the best discoveries are the ones you never expected.

🐇 Grand Opening
Saturday, July 18
10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Every shelf has a story to tell... and we're almost ready to share ours.

peddlerspassage.com