Soul food to cosmetics. Momma D’s meatballs to rocking with DJK.Wah! A new market focuses on pop-up food stands and Staten Island crafters.

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — A new market in Tompkinsville certainly is one for the senses. Patrons to the new Staten Island Food and Art Market can indulge in the colors, scents, conversations and tastes presented by borough artisans and cooks.

The market is open at 20 Cebra Ave., between Victory Boulevard and Castleton Avenue, between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. from Tuesdays through Sundays.

Organized by photographer Marcie Delapaz and Stapleton coffee shop owner Amira Cintron, the collaboration kicked off last weekend. Background music included tunes from Kelvin Wallace aka DJ K.Wah! as the crowd filtered in throughout the day.

In this inaugural presentation, vendors sold cosmetics, resin artwork, bath products, candles and scented oils. Maria Guzman of S.H.W. Shego’s House of Wax displayed handmade crystal jewelry and soy wax figures. Her endeavor started with candles and she moved onto bath salts and soy candles, distinct handiwork with vibrant colors and intricate detail.

Liz Baretto’s Gladys Rose Exquisite Botanicals offered whiffs of artfully shaped soaps pressed with dried organic flowers.

Barbara Longobardi sampled creams and long-lasting makeups plus magnetic eyelashes, the latter a hit among visitors this Saturday afternoon.

Adina Roman showed off custom candles checkered with photos plus resin crafts, the mainstay of her business, Roman’s Resins.

Gift ideas and fragrant treats came from Eviie’s Knickknacks and Jolees Lil Bit of Everything.

Conversations with purveyors such as Michelle Swiney McCombs turned up insights on how inspirational COVID-19 has been for budding entrepreneurs. The New Brighton resident now consults on hair and makeup on a one-to-one basis. She cuts and styles all types of hair in her studio and, at the market, sells “old school” brushes, unique oils and a variety of skin products.

And one could eat their way around the marketplace. The edibles are offered only on weekends. There are a few seats at which to cop a meal. Otherwise food is available to go.

Co-organizer Amira Cintron sold cookies from her Van Duzer Street brick-and-mortar, Amira’s Cafe ‘n’ Bistro. She offered cups of sorrel, a cranberry juice-like beverage sweetened with her own vanilla bean simple syrup.

Mingled among crafts and a Beezy Beez local honey stand were Lullo’s Sugar Rush cupcakes, custom make creations from Amanda and January Lullo.

HOPES FOR BIGGER ENDEAVORS

Caterer Dorothy Nelson one day hopes to vend from a food truck. For now, the caterer is testing the waters with popup restaurants under the brand Momma D’s Catering. Raves among tasters included mac ‘n’ cheese, rice with pigeon peas, saucy meatballs and crispy fried wings.

“We pray that it takes off,” said a smiling Delapaz in the sunshine from outside the storefront.

“It’s little baby steps. We going to do an outdoor market. We want to bring out support to these vendors,” said Delapaz. That effort will be called “Small Business Saturdays” and will start on April 2 at 117 Wright Pl., Stapleton, across from the First Central Baptist Church in the parking lot.

Cintron explained how both concepts riff on a collection of eats known as Smorgasboard established in Brooklyn. She hopes that a fresh genre of food tourists will come to Staten Island to experience its own varied cuisines. And this budding borough market is a start to drawing the new audiences from the ferry and beyond.

“We have good restaurants. It’s sometimes a little hard to spread the word about them,” said Cintron who explained this is a good means through which fans can be cultivated.

The Staten Island Food and Art Market can be found at 20 Cebra Ave. in the heart of Tompkinsville also known as “Little Lanka,” a nod to the concentration of Sri Lankan shops and restaurants. Parking can be found along Victory Boulevard. Vendors can contact Delapaz directly at 347-422-4056. The website with updated vendors is SIFoodAndArtMkt.com.

Here are images of the market in its inaugural weekend.