The most wonderful time of the year is coming in full swing, with holiday markets, ice skating rinks, and more popping up all over New York City. Small businesses are stocking their shelves early this holiday season and waiting to see how many gifts inflation-weary shoppers will feel inclined to give. Holiday shopping has been relatively strong over the past two years, with shoppers migrating online to spend, aided by pandemic stimulus funds. According to the National Retail Federation, November and December sales account for an average of about 20% of annual retail sales, making the holiday season the most important for many retailers.
The store Askan, founded by a collective of artists, is aiming for a 50% increase in sales this holiday season. According to one of the artists, Suny Figueroa, this will be the second holiday season they open a booth at the famous Chelsea Market in Manhattan, aiming to reach a broader clientele. “Our plans after Christmas are to maintain sales and develop new designs for the Spring/Summer season,” said Suny Figueroa.
The Black-owned brand was founded in New York City in 2015 to uplift Black culture through the promotion of socially conscious designs. “By combining New York City street art, bold trends, and our cultural heritage, we continue to create creative pieces that leave our supporters wanting more.” The store is located at 151 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002, and also hosts about 20 independent brands and designers.
Another artist and entrepreneur at Chelsea Market is Gulsum Keskinoglu, born in 1989 in Afyonkarahisar, Turkey. She started her online business in 2020 and finally opened a real store/booth at Chelsea Market in May 2022.
“I want to believe it will be busier than in the summer, and I increased my sales in December by about 100% compared to last month and strengthened my connection with people. Chelsea Market is my first market experience. Having your own business is amazing, but also scary because you never know what to expect. After Christmas, I will take a break for a few months and focus on my new art and projects for the next season,” says Gulsum.
The artist studied at Isparta Anatolian Fine Art High School Department of Painting and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Mugla Faculty, in Bodrum, in Fine Arts, Department of Sculpture. While participating in various national group exhibitions, Gulsum expanded her studio expertise with ceramic artist Tevfik Turen Karagozoglu in Bodrum. She launched her first solo exhibition in 2015.
Some of the city’s and the country’s most beloved and established holiday markets, Union Square, Bryant Park, and Columbus Circle Holiday Market by Urbanspace, will make their grand return this year from November until Saturday, December 24. After four decades, Manhattan’s longest-running holiday markets have much to fulfill.
In 2022, these iconic holiday markets will each host over 175 vendors with unique gifts, original art, handmade accessories, and more, created by local artisans, artists, and entrepreneurs.
The brand French-York, created in December 2018, is inspired by the union of two cultures: New York and Paris. The French founder and designer, Vanessa Duman, will be selling for the first time at the Union Square market and says that participating is easy. Fill out a form and submit the registration. The difficulty is that you have to build, paint, and decorate your booth yourself. “I paid $17,000, a big investment for a small business like mine, but I know it will be worth it. I hope to make money, increase my customers, and help with my brand’s marketing.”
Vanessa Duman moved to New York seven years ago. She explains that her brand is more than just fashion. It’s the cultural experience of French style with a New York twist. “Creating was the easiest part, and the most challenging was brand development, but I’m happy with the result after all these years.”
For the future, Vanessa plans to open a store next year and also operate a booth at the Bryant Park holiday market.
“I have been an artist for as long as I can remember, and I always have exhibitions in art galleries. However, it wasn’t enough. I needed to be consistent, and I created original art and art prints. Besides merchandise like sweatshirts, sweaters, and others.”
Veterans of the New York Holiday Market, the handmade jewelry brand Studio DuArte is participating for the 14th time at the Columbus Circle market, located in the west side of Central Park.
The owner is Brazilian designer based in New York, Maria Cristina Duarte Veronese (photo), who creates handmade jewelry with unique geometric designs in sterling silver and gold to produce original and timeless pieces. Goldsmithing and wax sculpture are Cristina’s main sculpting methods, allowing her to create pieces that combine all aspects of today’s ever-changing lifestyle.
“This market always rewards me with many tourists from all over the world. I love hearing people talk about my work and seeing them return after the holidays to buy more jewelry at my store in the East Village.”
Maria Cristina Duarte Veronese says that holiday markets are an excellent low-cost way to gain new customers. Especially if your business is in the early stages or operates online or from home, holiday markets offer brands a retail experience, visibility, and foot traffic with much less risk and no concessions.
VIVIANE FAVER
Journalist
vfaver@gmail.com