A pop-up market is returning to Westfield for its second year. And as Westfield Area’s Near Buy learned, it does a fine job at boosting downtown foot traffic during the busy holiday shopping season.
Signs for the Marketspace at Westfield have sprung up at the corner of East Broad and Elm in the shadow of Arcanum Hall. The second year the holiday-inspired market has opened a seasonal destination for local shoppers in the heart of the town’s business district.
“It’s a collaborative of artisans in the area, people who hand-make anything from wood carvings to knit and crochet to candles and soaps,” said Kim Kraemer the Founder of Marketspace Vendor Events and a Cranford resident.
Last year, the pop-up market occupied the then-vacant space where YESTERcades since opened. This year, it brings its cheery vibe to the former location of the Children’s Place. A positive impact for the Downtown shopping scene, Kraemer said.
“It’s nice when you are in between tenants… as long as the square footage is there, we are happy to come in and make it something special for the holidays.”
According to Kraemer, approximately 9,000 people trekked to Westfield for the 2017 market over three weekends in December. Foot traffic and buzz for Downtown Westfield.
“Each artisan has a social media following and a customer base that, whether they are from Westfield or Cranford, or Short Hills, or South Orange, they are bringing their following. It’s something exciting. It’s something that people don’t see every day,” she added, “And people will come down to Westfield, they will shop our market, but, then, while they are in town, they will say ‘wow, look at all of these really great retailers.’ Or, ‘let’s grab a bite to eat while we are here.'”
“It’s something exciting. It’s something that people don’t see every day.”
-Kim Kraemer
The market runs the first three weekends in December and features approximately 25 artisans each day including Westfielders: Michelle Weintraub of Forevergreen Soaps, Maxine Schwartz of MAS Jewelry Designs, Janette Spezio of Sustainable Haus and Jay Macry of Westfield Woodshop,
Santa will also make an appearance {presumably using this chimney for access}.
Feature photo courtesy Marketspace Vendor Events.
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