Make Good on Your Holiday Shopping at This Weekend’s Good Trade Makers Market

Photo courtesy of Ampersand Creative Co.

Clear your schedules: The Good Trade Makers Market is returning to the WaterFire Arts Center in Providence this Saturday, November 23, and Sunday, November 24, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The annual event gathers nearly 100 independent makers and small manufacturers of home decor, art, apothecary products, apparel accessories and more all under one roof.

“We started the Good Trade Makers Market because we believe that incredible things happen when you fill a room with positive, supportive and talented people,” says BJ Mansuetti, co-owner of Cranston-based Ampersand Creative Co., the organizers behind the event. “With so many community-forward businesses coming together from all over the country, we’re able to celebrate local artisans and makers while providing other small businesses, from New England and beyond, the opportunity to grow and meet shoppers in a city that’s new to them. In ‘trade’ we take a lot of local Rhode Island businesses to the Good Trade’s event in Burlington, Vermont to help them do the same.”

Photo courtesy of Ampersand Creative Co.

Now in its fourth year, the market gives makers the opportunity to grow their businesses through networking and collaborating with one another, exploring new sales avenues and introducing them to Rhode Island shoppers.

“The community response to the event has been incredibly positive, from both participating businesses and shoppers,” says Ampersand Creative Co. co-owner, Robin Dionne. “In surveying our vendors after each event, we learn how they are impacted by the Good Trade, and how businesses collaborate and work together to get their products onto shelves at local stores, and how the boost in revenue has helped them.”

Mansuetti acknowledges that rising costs and the current economic climate has created a challenging and stressful time for small businesses.

“We believe that for small makers to grow, they need opportunities to meet new shoppers outside of their immediate communities, in addition to working together and supporting each other,” he adds.

Photo courtesy of Ampersand Creative Co.

In addition to the appearance of familiar local small businesses — including Aura’s Chocolate Bar, Black Leaf, Forge to Table, Nest Homeware and Pretty Snake, to name a few —  the Good Trade Makers Market will also see the return of the popular “Plinko for a Cause” fundraiser. The interactive game encourages shoppers to donate $5 and play to win prizes from the Good Trade and various event vendors. This year, 100% of the proceeds will benefit Project Weber/RENEW, a Providence-based non-profit that offers peer-led harm reduction and recovery services.

Photo courtesy of Ampersand Creative Co.

Tickets are available in advance online for $8 each or for $10 at the door. The price of admission includes an offering from the market’s sponsors, meaning either a small cocktail from Inside Voices bar (or $2 off any of their full-sized beverages), a small beer from Proclamation Ale, a small hot coffee from New Harvest Coffee Roasters, a bottle of Topo-Chico Sparkling Mineral Water or a small ice cream from Gather Farm. For more information, visit goodtrademakersmarket.com, or follow @goodtrademakersmarket on Instagram.