Around Town ~ Tolleson Family Market

 

               This week for Around Town we stopped by the Tolleson Family Market located at 300 Connally street, on the corner of Daivs and Connally Street.  They are open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  This family-owned business is a great way to gather all your locally owned and sourced products right in the heart of downtown Sulphur Springs. Tolleson Family Market is the perfect spot for “Farm to table all natural goods.” 

              

               Not only do they have house made soap, but there is also an assortment of canned goods, tea, meat and produce.  Jenna works hard to create and curate items from local growers, farmers and artists to fill her shop with one of a kind goods.  They have created partnerships with various farms to fill their shelves with sustainable products and goods. 

 

               Jenna and Cory work with G5 cattle and process the left-over fat to create culinary tallow that is ready for cooking or baking.  I can hardly wait to try it out in our next batch of pastry for our guests.  She also makes tallow soap that can be used as an overall cleaner, for hair, body and face.  No unhealthy products in this soap, it’s all natural and smells amazing.  If you do not want tallow soap, they also carry goat’s milk soap from Red Gate Farms.  You are bound to find a favorite from either batch.

 

               Let’s talk more about the meat and produce that they offer.  G5 cattle supplies the beef and tallow that they sell.  However, they also have pork products from Pasture 1301 and produce from Paris Natural Farms.  Runamuk Farms provides their pasture raised eggs for sale and they even have a mushroom supplier.  I’m so happy I stopped in and found out about this great source of fungi.  Mushrooms are a favorite and we enjoy farm fresh when we can.  Not only do they offer fresh produce but have a wide variety of canned goods that Jenna makes herself.  There are canned items under Miranda’s Kitchen label as well as, premade meals if you need something you can just pop in the oven on those busy nights but still want a homecooked meal.

 

               Jenna also has a line of loose-leaf tea available, which I can attest is wonderful.  We have tried several of her blends and have not found one we do not like.  Each tea blend is carefully created with local ingredients and packaged into resealable pouches.  You will not go wrong with your tea selection from Tolleson Family Market.  I just need to figure out the best way to share it with guests, and I think we could transition away from bags. 

 

               With the help of Amazon publishing, Jenna has a published book series for children that you can pick up in store.  These books are a great addition to any children’s library.  You can even pick up a copy from the Amazon website, if you do not have time to stop into the store. 

 

               Tolleson Family Market does not want to stop there.  They plan to add some fresh made meals in the form of sandwiches and salads, as well as a micro bakery for visitors to enjoy in store or at home.  Currently, while you browse their selection of products you can order a smoothie or bowl that will make your tummy say thank you.  Everything is made with a fresh, healthy ingredients, no syrupy sugar substitutes here, only items that will help fuel your body.

 

               Be sure to stop in early the next time you are in town to grab your loaf of fresh bread from the market, and pair it with some local honey.  There is something for everyone at Tolleson’s and you can walk away happy knowing that you are shopping local, and supporting the farming community in and around Hopkins County.

Make your own soap ~ Buff City Soap

    

 Nestled along main street in downtown Sulphur Springs is Buff City Soap.  A franchise that focuses on handmade, plant based soaps for the whole house. When Buff City Soap first came to town I thought it would be a great touch to add their soaps to our rooms for guest to enjoy.  With a local store from at 217 Main Street, guest could easily find their location and select some new favorites to take home.  Since our goal is to help promote the local shopping industry in Sulphur Springs, our addition of their products would help drive customers to their downtown location without overwhelming guests and provides them with a local treat to enjoy while staying in Sulphur Springs, at The Oaks.  

    One day a couple came and stayed with us and had visited Buff City, while at breakfast they told me they made their own custom bar of soap.  I think I vaguely remember them asking me if I wanted to make the soap myself when I ordered mine but I said no at the time.  Well this time, I needed to refill my bar soap supply so I figured why not give it a go and make the soap that the guests will be enjoying in the rooms.  

    I set up a time to come in and make my product, and the day had finally arrived.  I only added color to my soaps this time, to add some interest to our bars, but it would hopefully keep with the décor of the rooms.  

    Before you can get started you need to get "dressed."  Safety first on this adventure.  Make sure you wear closed toed shoes and long pants for your class.  Otherwise, they will have everything you need to stay safe.  Googles, face shield, apron, gloves and shoe booties are all on and now we were ready to make soap.  

    Since we decided to add color, we chose two different colors to mix together this time around, an orangish gold and a turquoise with our honey oatmeal scent.  The process is fairly simple and you even use a standard kitchen tool, an immersion blender, to mix everything together.  First you mix the water and scent together and then add in the color to blend it all together.  

    Your soap is not ready for the molds.  We added our gold color first then poured the turquoise over the top.  But your artistic skills do not stop there, by dragging a tooth pick through the liquid you are able to create a "design" in your soap to fit your stylistic needs.  

    Once you are satisfied with your pattern, your soap needs to cure and harden before being cut.  Buff City will cut it for you into the desired size you want for your soap to be used and displayed.  This a great and creative way to make gifts or have a unique bar at home for when guests come to stay.  We hope that you will take advantage of making your own bar of soap when you visit, or by making  your own bath bombs. 

    Be sure to stop by Buff City during your visit to Sulphur Springs, they are open seven days a week and are happy to help you find the perfect scent to please your senses.