Shop Local on Black Friday

ST. PETERSBURG – Local businesses are encouraging people to shop local for the holidays. Instead of going to big-name, anonymous chains on Black Friday, why not keep the money closer to home?

St. Pete-based designer Brianna Kole decided to make her own Black Friday event, except she calls it "Black Market."

A plus to this shopping opportunity is that it happens not once, but twice. Black Market will take place on Friday, Nov. 25, and Dec. 16, from 7:30-11 p.m.

The event will feature locally made items, such as jewelry, handcrafted dolls and handsewn wallets.

Artists are welcome to sign up to sell their wares. The deadline to make it on to the official flier as a vendor is Friday, Nov. 18.

To participate on one of the two dates, it is $10 and vendors must provide their own table and chairs to set up.

If an artist chooses to be a part of both dates, it’s $15.

A holiday-driven event wouldn’t be the same without spreading good cheer. Black Market will also be holding a canned food drive. Kole is accepting donations for raffle items as well.

To get involved with this locally infused event, contact Kole at alekaphoenix@gmail.com.