On Thursday, December 15th, more than 20 local makers and crafters will set up shop inside Drekker Brewing Company for the second annual Late Night Holiday Craft Market. From beard oil to jewelry and lefse to hot sauce, there will be plenty of variety at this pop-up holiday market. Last year’s inaugural event saw over 500 people through the doors and this year’s event is promising to be even bigger and better.
One difference from last year is that this year, Etsy, the online marketplace for handmade goods, is on board to help out with the event as part of their “Made Local” campaign to support in-person sales for crafters, collectors and artisans across the country. Etsy is helping with the marketing and promotion of the Holiday Craft Market as well as adding some unique touches to the event such as a face painter, photographer and some great DIY projects.
“During the craziest time of the shopping season we just love the idea Drekker had to combine beer plus shopping locally made items! It creates a more relaxed, chill, and magical evening to spend with the makers who are showcasing their handmade talents and take care of last minute holiday shopping,” says Ashley Morken, owner of Unglued.
Some of the unique items at the Late Night Holiday Craft Market include fresh lefse hot off the griddle, beer scented candles, artisan baked goods, hand crafted pottery and ceramics and art pieces by several unique local artists.
“We get extremely excited to host these kinds of events where everything you can buy was hand-made by the person on the other side of the table selling it. Being a small brewery that needs to do just about everything by hand we really appreciate what these crafty local entrepreneurs are doing and what they add to our community,” said Jesse Feigum, Co-Founder of Drekker Brewing Company. “We’re proud to be able to provide an opportunity for them to get face to face with potential customers when now more than ever people are seeking out a local connection to the items they buy, whether it’s an art piece on their wall, a piece of jewelry or even the coffee mug they drink out of every day.”
Unglued and Etsy will also be hosting free Make and Take projects throughout the evening. The first 50 people to do the DIY projects will get to do a mini holiday succulent and then the rest of the evening there will be other free projects to help get you inspired to make some of your own gifts or decor this season.
Let’s not forget one of the main benefits of doing your Christmas shopping at a brewery – the beer! Anyone who’s ever really wanted a beer after a trip through a crowded store during the holiday season is in luck.
“We even collaborated with one of the Late Night Holiday Craft Market vendors on a beer that will be tapped especially for the Market, infusing a habanero-persimmon pepper blend from Off the Deck Hot Sauce into a cask of our Chocolate Milk Stout,” Feigum said. “We’re all excited to try that one, but we’re waiting to tap it until the market starts on Thursday.”
Since this event is taking place in a brewery, attendees must be 21 years of age or older. The Late Night Holiday Craft Market runs from 5-10pm on Thursday, December 15th at Drekker Brewing Company, located at 630 1st Ave North in Downtown Fargo. For more information visit the “Late Night Holiday Craft Market” Facebook page.
