The annual Christmas craft fairs and winter artisan holiday markets won’t likely happen due to the COVID-19 restrictions.
But a Richmond small business owner has taken the events online with a Facebook group.
Megan Chambers said merchants are free to join the group, which now has in excess of 100 independent vendors, 20 of whom are from Richmond. The event is set to run on Facebook from Nov. 22 to 28.
After seeing a couple of similar virtual markets taking off successfully via Facebook, Chambers decided to pivot by connecting local vendors to potential buyers.
“It’s important to support local and individual businesses and the online market is a great way to do that,” said Chambers.
Vendors can post a maximum of one post per day, and shoppers can arrange for pickup or delivery directly from the vendor. The market will have vendors selling a variety of things, such as candles, clothes, jewellery, among other items.
In addition, Chambers set up an online fundraising campaign to invite the public to show support for Surrey Christmas Bureau, a charity that provides low-income families with toys, stocking stuffers and grocery cards during the holidays.
Chambers said she chose that organization because Surrey is one of the hardest hit areas in Canada during the pandemic, and a lot of families in the area are struggling.
For more information about the event, go to Facebook.com/groups/2020hmsiv.
