On Nov. 16, a line formed outside of the Moore’s Mill Club, as excited buyers and browsers waited for its highly anticipated Christmas market pop-up. Open to the public, the market welcomed people from every corner of the community, as attendees browsed and bought handmade and vintage goods from local vendors.
Once the doors opened, the shoppers poured into the pavilion, bringing with them the holiday spirit, as Christmas music and delighted chatter filled the room.
Started in 2020, the pop-up was originally positioned at the top of the Moore's Mill clubhouse, but this year marks the second year it has been hosted in the pavilion. Once the hosts saw that there was a demand for it, they moved to the pavilion to be able to accommodate as many buyers as possible.
Charming goods were set up for buyers to admire and pick out their favorite pieces, all ranging from handmade ornaments and jewelry to vintage stockings and knick-knacks. Hosting the event were the local creators and vendors, who each offered unique and decorative wares.
Regan Stanfield was one of these creators, her booth showcasing her handmade jewelry. Stanfield makes all of her jewelry from home and has been in the market for five years. She sells her pieces both locally and nationally. For Stanfield, the pop-up was for more than just business reasons.
“I love seeing all of our friends and neighbors here,” said Stanfield.
At the pop-up, many vendors sold their handmade products, while others sold antique and vintage festive pieces. Colby Lakas, another vendor, showcased her taste in stylish vintage goods and clothing through her own personal outfit and her merchandise.
Lakas does not have an in-person storefront, due to her typical work schedule as a faculty advisor in Auburn's School of Accountancy, so she and other vendors consider this to be their passion project.
A decorative sign features the text "The Conversation Piece," owned by Colby Lakas, surrounded by festive imagery, including holiday stockings and a patterned border.
Lakas is on Instagram, where she sells her pieces online and converses with buyers. She values being able to talk to people face to face rather than online, the market helping her connect with more people in her community.
“I love how there's people that have never heard of us before and this is their way to discover,” Lakas said. “Sometimes you just have to reach people by having a street sale and a road sign, and they find you and really like what you do.”
Lakas loves the Christmas season and looks forward to finally laying all of her products out for shoppers during this time of the year.
“It makes my heart happy to lay everything out on a table and see it," Lakas said. "I’m just such a collector, and I love Christmas.”
For Lakas, the familiar faces and connections are what makes the market feel special and joyful. Stanfield is Lakas’s best friend and even lives across the street from her. Lakas’s mom helped set up a table too, joining despite not having a storefront.
“Just the tangled web of Auburn of how you know people from other walks of life and you come together and put on something that's so fun, and everyone has got such different unique things,” said Lakas.
Lakas loves sharing her vintage finds with shoppers, connecting on the feeling of browsing and discovering something they love.
“Vintage is for everyone," Lakas said. "It's sustainable, and it's so classic, and I think when someone picks something up on my table and is like ‘Oh my god, my grandma had this’ or ‘This brings back a memory,’ I’m like, ‘That's why I do this.’”
The Christmas market is an annual pop-up and is free to attend. This year, the popup showcased beautiful handmade and festive pieces but also a warm and welcoming environment for anyone to stop by and look forward to the holiday season.
Those interested in supporting Lakas and Stanfield can find their Instagrams at convo_piece_vintage and reganallisondesigns respectively.
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