Time is quickly running out for the opportunity to participate in the Hill District and Homewood’s unique holiday shopping experiences. Friday Dec. 23 is the final day for the Hill District Holiday on the Ave located on the first floor of the Hill Community Development Corporation offices; 2015–2017 Centre Avenue. Friday Dec. 30 the Homewood Holiday Market located at the corners of Frankstown Avenue and Oakwood Street will end with a week of Kwanzaa themed activities.
The second year for the Holiday on the Ave, the pop up storefront featuring a variety of retailers in one location kicked off Nov. 26 during Small Business Saturday. In addition, this year to the Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. shopping times, Dec. 15 a Hill District Holiday Mixer was held at the Energy Innovation Center on Bedford Avenue. “Activities like the pop up store front and Holiday Mixer at the EIC allows us the opportunity to provide local entrepreneurs a venue where they can conduct business at a prime spot during the busiest shopping cycle of the year,” said Diamonte Z. Walker, Hill CDC Program Associate.
Other sponsors of the Holiday Mixer that included food, festivities and the vendors were the Hill District Consensus Group, the Hill Credit Union, the Hill House Association, the Hill YMCA and Urban Innovation21.
The Homewood Holiday Market, hosted by NSide Out Spaces and the Minority Networking Exchange kicked off Dec. 3. Operating Thursdays through Saturdays activities take place inside four repurposed shipping containers.
Like Walker, Vernard Alexander of the MNE is looking to provide local entrepreneurs an opportunity to sell their products and services. “My goal is to have vendor opportunities available and affordable to everyone. People can vend one day, three days or every day.” Along with an array of products Alexander explained that there is a daily theme, free hot chocolate and a late afternoon Networking Social on Thursdays, “Fridays Night Live” with a D.J. playing holiday and family oriented music on Fridays and “Saturdays with Santa” where families can take pictures with a Soulful Santa. Groups like Urban Innovation21 have been present providing business development advice, and the Black Media Federation, Black MBAs and Urban League Young Professionals have or will host mixers.
The Passport to Homewood Holiday Edition has also been sold at the Holiday Market. Sponsored by the Homewood-Brushton Business Association, the Passport features 23 businesses that offer consumers a discount on purchases. “It’s a win for the consumers and win for small businesses,” said Alexander. “The consumer receives the discount and the businesses gain customers.”
The Homewood Holiday Market is open Thursdays and Fridays from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays Noon to 6 p.m.
NSide Out Spaces is operated by Christian Hughes and Dana Lance. Lance explained that they have repurposed the steel fire and waterproof shipping containers into reusable spaces. “Reuse can consist of office space, outdoor entertainment studios and actual affordable housing units,” she explained mentioning that Los Vegas has a mall and Miami has a pop up theatre using the containers. Containers are 8 feet wide and range between 10 to 40 feet long.
Hughes, the CEO of NSide Out Spaces is a Detroit native and aspiring architect. He is the founder and coordinator of Drafting Dreams an Educational Consulting Service that teaches architecture to students in Kindergarten through 12 grade through creative design exercises and design curricula in an effort to inspire the next generation of architects; and to increase women and minority interest and participation in design professions.
Lance, a Homewood native is the owner of Carter and Associates an interior fit out construction business. She is the winner of last year’s Urban Innovation21 Homewood Business Competition.
Items found in the Hill District and Homewood markets include handmade and custom jewelry, original art work, organic and holistic skin and body care products, clothing, fresh baked goods and an array of foods.
Strong supporters and advocates of entrepreneurship and strengthening small businesses within the community Walker and Alexander know the importance of providing existing and aspiring entrepreneurs with an opportunity to take full advantage of the busiest retail season of the year.
“It’s important for people to buy from within their own community, and we want to make sure a variety of options exists for residents and all shoppers,” said Walker.
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