Packages adorned with ribbons and bows, paper bags overflowing with tissue paper, personalized gift tags that sparkle and shine: the joyous season of gift giving is here. We lovingly select each present with care, with not only a specific recipient in mind, but conscious of the maker or store from where we purchase it.
This weekend in the City of Niles, embrace the sunshine and optimal shopping weather, as the community debuts the ‘Niles Winter Market Crawl’ on Sunday, December 11th, from Noon to 4 p.m. This market crawl is like a pub crawl, except instead of traveling from bar to bar, you pop into shops and businesses downtown, perusing and purchasing wares from participating stores and vendors.
“This event is an off-shoot of our Niles Homegrown Market, the summer maker’s market series that began in 2021,” says organizer and small business owner, Kristin Bivens. “We did the first market crawl in June, and decided to do a winter one for the holidays.”
The event map covers roughly four blocks, and features fifteen stops to shop. A blend of brick & mortar retail stores and hosts with vendors, you’ll find something for everyone on your list. “The market crawl provides local businesses something different to attract customers, to create a unique experience. It also offers space for smaller vendors to sell their wares,” says Kristin.
Inspired by a friend who organizes events like this on a national scale, Kristin, the owner of Wicked Pop Candle Co., has diligently worked toward bringing shoppers and community support to downtown Niles. “We are a smaller community with many great businesses. Our downtown has seen a revival in the last few years, and I simply want to help promote it and keep our momentum going. A lot of people don’t know about the experiences Niles offers, and I’d like to change that,” she adds.
The sweet scents of the holidays float over Main Street, including Veni’s Sweet Shop and their delicious chocolates, savory scones and a cuppa from Apothica Teas, and the many lunch options (and gift cards!) from places like Jim’s Smokin’ Cafe, Iron Shoe Distillery, and Niles Brewing Company.
There are over twenty-five businesses to support this weekend, with products ranging from soaps and candles, to baked goods, jewelry, and jams, organic microgreens, clothing, vintage wares, and so much more. Most of the winter market crawl stays within the confines of the city’s Social District, which was introduced earlier this year, so grab a drink and enjoy the day!
“It’s great to see vendors and businesses coming together just in time for the holidays, to provide local options to gift-giving instead of big box stores,” says Kristin. “When people buy from a small business, we all do a little happy dance.”
For a detailed list of all participating vendors, please visit the Winter Downtown Market Crawl event page. See you on Sunday!
By Jocelyne Tuszynski, MOTM Contributor
