Local Market Promotes High-End Handcrafted Items

Bringing shoppers downtown once a month on Saturdays to the NBopenmarket has grown from an idea to reality with an initial 15 vendors that more than doubled over the course of four months. “The NBopenmarket is modeled on a flea market, but it’s much more than that. All the items are high-end, fine crafts. Everything is handmade. You won’t see machine-made mass produced items,” explained organizer Elissa Paquette.
Set in a spacious storefront in the Bristol Building on corner of Union and Purchase Streets, downtown New Bedford, the market features independent vendors offering art, antiques, records, vintage, and handmade items of all kinds, as well as
live music. Currently there is no vendor fee.
This spring/summer, NBopenmarket will be held outdoors in Wing’s Court with the capacity to accomodate about 50 vendors.
Shoppers can find ceramics, comics & zines, handmade books, jewelry, designer clothing and accessories, hand printed tees, handmade soaps, antiques, wearables, hats and mittens, paintings, prints, glassware, music, plants, toys.
According to Elissa, “The event seems to be growing and creating considerable traffic to surrounding businesses, such as the Green Bean and Artificial Marketplace. NBopenmarket has also spurned interest in vacant retail space. One vendor, the owner of a record store on the Cape, was downtown last AHA! Night checking out the neighborhood and looking at some available commercial space.”
“Depending on the response, I can see the market expanding to a weekly event with local DJs and performers. I’d love to see the Farmer’s Market involved. For now we’re happy to see the fabulous handcrafted work at the market and people spending time on a Saturday afternoon downtown,” said Elissa, owner of Calico, a vintage clothing and accessories store located at 528 Pleasant Street.
For more information, contact Elissa at elissa@shopcalico.com.

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