Many shoppers left with bags of gifts after visiting the multi-vendor Holiday Pop-Up Gift Market on Wednesday, December 21, 2022.
The event was held at the Best Western and featured 25 small vendors from all over Brantford and the County of Brant.
Tables lined the room and sellers offered a variety of goods such as trending toys, handmade gifts, popular brands and more.
The event was the third and final in a series of pop-up markets that was held over the last month and it was designed to help make shopping for the holidays a little easier. Entry was free and shoppers could sign up for door prizes to help raise money for the Saito Saved End of the Line Dog Rescue (the event raised over $100).
Britta Dabrowski of Full Hands Full Hearts started organizing the event in September to provide an opportunity for vendors without storefronts, to sell their wares to the community.
“I found myself without a store for the holiday season, so I decided to host this to make the best of it and get out there,” said Dabrowski. “Nobody can afford to rent a storefront right now and being online is great, but you don’t quite get the same word of mouth and shipping costs have been wild. This has been an opportunity and space for everyone to get out there, network and sell their goods.”
Dabrowski also mentioned the importance of picking a location that was in the city, accessible via bus stop and had parking available for vendors and guests.
Vendors sold a variety of items such as: trays, ornaments, hats, toys, terrariums, candles, Christmas greens, popcorn and other treats.
Many of the vendors spoke of the difficulties they experience getting into other bigger pop-up markets around town and the benefits of a smaller market like this.
“For us, it’s been great because we get to meet people locally in Brantford,” said Daniel Blodgett, owner of Rita Dora Gallery. “Events like this are more interactive and more intimate, and you kind of get to know more people like this.”
Jaqueline Van Belois, owner of Purity Home Design, used to own a jewelry store in Oakville and spoke of the difference between having a storefront and a side business out of your home.
“When you’ve got a full-time job, and then you’re doing something on the side, you need an outlet to be able to expose your goods to customers and this type of networking is valuable.”
The three events drew a steady turnout and even Santa Claus made it out to the final event and arrived at 6:30 p.m.. The big man mingled with vendors giving words of encouragement and even took pictures with guests in attendance.
Going forward, Dabrowski hopes to make this an annual event featuring different vendors and goods.
