Founder of inspire® Pop-up Shop at Flint Farmers’ Market August 29
Flint, Mi- On Tuesday, August 29th the Flint Farmers’ Market will be holding a pop-up shop featuring the founder of inspire®, Eric Patrick Thomas. The inspire® pop-up shop will be located at the Friends of the Market from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Thomas is living with a spinal cord injury and is paralyzed from the neck down. He uses sip-and-puff assistive technology to control his wheelchair. Thomas told the Courier someone shot him in the neck on September 20, 1997, at his music release party.
Thomas told the Courier previously he worked hard to make his dream happen to change “the system, the way things are.” He fought to be able to exercise his right to vote privately and independently.
He also started the inspire® clothing line.
Thomas explained: “The mission of the inspire® brand is to urge, create, animate, and give rise to positive action. inspire® is more than a word. It is a lifestyle that promotes the awareness of people with barriers. When people share their inspire® stories it creates emotion, and motivates world change.”
Thomas is a Flint entrepreneur who will be bringing his pop-up shop featuring inspire® t-shirts and sweatshirts with four new designs to the market. Thomas will be running the hashtag #popuptoinspire encouraging people to stop by and educate themselves on the brand. Those making a purchase will receive a free market tote and a special deal from the Crust Bakery!
Market Manager Karianne Martus said, “August 29th will be a fun day at Friends of the Market! Eric has been a great supporter of our market and an asset to our community. Our vendors and customers LOVED his last visit in July so we are happy to welcome him back to INSPIRE us again!”
Established in 1905, the Flint Farmers’ Market is a year-round public market that features a variety of 45 vendors year-round and additional vendors seasonally in the HAP Outdoor Pavilion. It is located at 300 East First St in the heart of downtown Flint. For more information on the market visit their website www.flintfarmersmarket.com or call 810.232.1399.
