NORWICH – The holiday season is around the corner, and that means people are starting their holiday gift shopping.
The Small Business Saturday Vendor and Craft Fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sat., Nov. 29 at The Artists' Palette at 17-19 South Broad Street in Norwich. A similar event called “All I Want For Christmas” was held at the Label Gallery last year and was a community success.
“We want to encourage people to shop local for the holidays. That is the main reason we are holding this event with local vendors and small businesses,” said Jamie Hagenbuch, Younique presenter and local vendor.
Hagenbuch is a stay-at-home mother of four who also works independently selling Younique cosmetics and products. She and Jill Kraft, owner of The Artists' Palette, wanted to do something to support local vendors, crafters and small businesses.
“Jill and I got to talking, and we wanted to host something for the holidays,” Hagenbuch said. “Jill wanted to house the event so local businesses would have a place to go and people could shop local.”
Hagenbuch wanted to get the word out early to attract more local vendors and crafters to sign up to be a part of the event. “It is a $25 fee and a one item product donation for each vendor to participate in the event,” Hagenbuch said. “Currently we have 12 or more vendors, and Jill said we can fill it up with as many vendors as we can.”
Some of the local vendors already participating in the event include Pure Romance by Machelle Lowe, Sovereign Designs by Erica Kenyon, Younique by Jamie Hagenbuch, Jennifer's Bows, Netta Lynn Designs, Origami Owl, It Works, DoTerra Essential Oils and many more.
“We have everything from metal designs, jewelry, homemade items, mineral make-up, hair bows and ornaments, oils and so much more,” Hagenbuch said. “It's going to be a one-stop shop where people can come to do their local holiday shopping.”
The event is open to the public and free to attend. There will be snacks like crackers and cheese, as well as non-alcoholic beverages, for attendees to enjoy while shopping. There will also be a raffle held from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. using the products donated by the vendors. Those attending the event can get raffle tickets by visiting vendors' booths and have a chance to win free items.
“I wanted to do something for Small Business Saturday,” Kraft said. “I like for the community to use The Artists' Palette for events. I want it to be a community art center.”
According to Commerce Chenango's website, Small Business Saturday was started by American Express in 2010, and is a day dedicated to supporting small businesses and local economies across the country. Studies have shown that when people spend close to home, more of their money stays within the community. For each dollar spent at a local business, 45 cents is reinvested locally.
Kraft opened The Artists' Palette in 2009, and recently moved to a new location this past August. She not only wanted to use her location as an art store, but as a place the community could use for different events. Kraft said her new store will cater to artists, art lovers and the community as a whole. “With this new location, it is my hope to create an atmosphere where anyone feels welcome,” she said.
“When you support one of us, you are supporting someone's household. Bring it back home –where it belongs– instead of to a chain like Walmart,” Hagenbuch said. “My mission this year is to keep it local and shop for my holiday gifts at small businesses or local vendors. It brings it back into our households and goes back into our community.”
For more information about the Small Business Saturday Vendor and Craft Fair visit its Facebook page. To learn more about becoming a vendor in the event, call Jamie Hagenbuch at 226-8058. For more information about The Artists' Palette or holding an event there, call Jill Kraft at 244-1445.