2012 SoWa Holiday Market Gets Consumers Shopping Locally

2012 SoWa Holiday Market from Julia Ardila on Vimeo.

In an economy where many goods are made overseas, independent business owners take pride in the fact that their work is original and handmade. That's why SoWa, short for South of Washington, an art gallery district in Boston, offers a holiday market each year. Sponsored by Yelp, the 9^th annual SoWa Holiday Market is an effort to get consumers shopping locally and supporting their local arts community. 

This year, the market took place inside the main building of the Benjamin Franklin Institute in Boston’s South End. More than 60 vendors set up shop on Saturday and Sunday, with the show running from 11 am- 6 pm on Saturday and 11 am- 5 pm on Sunday.

An extension of the SoWa Open Market, which runs from April to October each season, the event drew hundreds of holiday shoppers from the Boston area. Many of the independent designers, crafters, and artists who frequent the summer market also apply to be in its winter version. Markets like these are a good way for independent business owners to expand their clientele.

From hand-pressed stationary to flower arrangements, handbags to silk-screened t-shirts, paintings to stockings, and more, the market offers gifts for all loved ones.  

Here's a brief look at my time spent at the 2012 SoWa Holiday market on Saturday.