A success for shoppers and small business owners alike.
By Rashi Bhogal
February 27, 2017
Business owners in the Chinatown-International District teamed up with Ethnic Seattle for a second time for our annual Holiday Pop-up Market. Our motto: “Shop Small, Shop Ethnic.” The event took place last November 26, 2016 at Hing Hay Park in the CIDand featured a ton of fun and creative gift ideas, all under 100 dollars. A curated lineup of businesses that participated were Hood Famous Bakeshop, known for their famous purple, ube cheesecakes, Stay Lit Candles, and Kalsada Coffee, who source their beans from small farmers in the Philippines. Also featured: A Happy Hour Food Walk courtesy CIDBIA, complimentary drinks from participating businesses, ice carving, selfies with elfies, plus Seahawks fan giveaways!
All told, it was a lovely day for families and holiday shoppers alike, who all supported small, local businesses that day.
The turnout was impressive as pop-up vendors sold their unique wares. Herman Lanier of Lanier’s Fine Candies says, he “sold over 70 packages of candies at the event,” adding, “It was a very successful day for me!”
Meanwhile Sarah Moraguchi of Stay Lit Candles was overwhelmed by the positive response and says, “I cannot believe the amount of support I’ve had today from family, friends, and new customers! Thank you, thank you, thank you! I’m more motivated than ever before and can’t wait to start rebuilding my inventory! I literally arrived with 4 boxes worth inventory, and left at the end of the day with one that wasn’t even half full. Success is an understatement!”
Even community members and businesses who didn’t participate in the actual Pop-Up Market also saw saw success and noticed more customers than usual browsing in their shops, like Trichome co-owner Richard: “Shop Small Saturday did help bring customers into the store that might not normally come in.” While Momo Seattle’s Tom Kleifgan and Lei Ann “Lala” Shiramizu said, “The November 26th event was the best after–Thanksgiving Saturday we had, ever!”
The Pop-Up Market is quickly becoming a staple in the International District thanks to Ethnic Seattle and Ethnic Business Coalition. The nonprofit organization is committed to developing growth for immigrant and minority owned businesses. All in all the turnout was fantastic, families and friends were able to get together for food, drinks, and shopping, and businesses benefitted. Here’s looking to this coming holiday season…
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All photos by photographer Phoebe Poon.
