Handmade For The Holidays: Merrick Public Library Hosts Local Vendor Market

MERRICK, NY. — The Merrick Library will give south coasters a chance to tie up loose ends for their holiday shopping next weekend as it hosts a Holiday Handmade Market Saturday, Dec. 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The handmade market will feature homemade crafts and goods from local artists sourced through the library’s social media. According to Head Librarian of Community Engagement
Christina Bonfiglio-Scali, the market was devised as a plan to bring local small businesses together in a community space.

“This is actually our first year doing this, and we wanted to do something that was going to bring foot traffic into the library in a positive way that’ll help with local businesses,” Bonfiglio-Scali said. “People [will be] displaying their unique creations, local artisans, all from the area and just try to bring a little holiday cheer to the library and give people the chance to get some last-minute holiday shopping in.”

While the handmade market will give shoppers the chance to find the perfect gift at a time when so many people are looking for it, Bonfiglio-Scali said it will give attendees the chance, "to buy local."

“So many people are buying from Amazon and Walmart now, so we thought this would be a good idea to boost the local artisans’ sales," Bonfiglio-Scali said.

According to the community engagement librarian, Merrick Public Library staff first thought this kind of market was doable after their summer take on a comic convention, MerriCon. That event took place in July, and featured artist panels, cosplayers, guest speakers and vendors.

“Let’s try this again, but this time a holiday-themed one,” Bonfiglio-Scali said. “The response to MerriCon was great, and we’re expecting the same response to this.”