Popular spring market canceled in Gig Harbor. Here’s where to go instead
Still looking for a Mother’s Day gift? You’re in luck: Local vendors selling sweets, jewelry and other special wares will set up shop in downtown Gig Harbor from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 9 and 10.
B’s Bagels & Butters will host a market event on the lawn next to their building, at 3308 Uddenberg Lane. The list of sellers include many from Gig Harbor and others from across Pierce County, according to B’s Bagels owner Brittany Erwin.
One popular event is conspicuously absent from the spring calendar: Gig Harbor’s Local Makers Spring Market & Festival, which celebrated its third year last May with over 100 local artisan makers. Caasi Dickens, the event founder and co-owner of downtown boutique Local Whimsy, told The News Tribune that she decided to spend more time focusing on her family. Organizing the festival takes about four months of planning for their team of three, she wrote in a text message.
“My hope is that in its place, families will come downtown to stroll the waterfront and visit the many stores who carry many of the goods that were found at the festival,” she wrote. “We are unsure what next year will bring.”
Erwin said she decided to put on her own event after hearing the spring makers market wasn’t happening. She’s always wanted to create a space for small businesses to showcase their wares, beginning with the small retail area inside the bagel shop, she said.
“It’s just being a new business and running this whole thing by myself, it’s been hard,” she said. “But I finally have caught my breath, so being able to do those passion projects, I feel like I finally have time for that now.”
Erwin said they’re expecting around 200 to 300 people to attend the fair, on top of their regular weekend business at the bagel shop. Mother’s Day is their busiest weekend of the year, she said. B’s Bagels & Butters will be open until 4 p.m. during the fair (they typically close at 2 p.m. or at sell-out).
The city of Gig Harbor also awarded B’s Bagels a $500 grant through the Brandani Killilea Creative Endeavor Grant Program, which funds public art projects in the community and was recently renamed to commemorate the lives of two volunteers on the city’s arts commission. Erwin said they’re using that money to keep vendor fees low, pay for rentals and signage, and cover other costs. As required by the grant, they’ll offer a hands-on art project during the fair in the form of a booth where folks can paint their own flower pot.
One of the vendors attending the market is French macaron baker Emy Ray. Ray bakes macarons out of her home kitchen with a cottage food permit and takes orders through her business, Emy Ray Bakes.
Typically, customers put in orders for classic flavors like vanilla bean or pistachio, said Ray. At markets, she gets to choose the flavors, which is where she can get creative. Her past creations include lemon blueberry, honey or lavender Earl Grey and floral and citrus-y flavors.
“I put in a lot of care and energy into having a right filling of the macarons so that they have the perfect crunch with the chewy inside texture,” she said.
She also plans to give a sneak peek at the market of some new baked goods she’ll be offering.
Other food vendors include Kai’s Shave Ice on Saturday and Buddy’s Chicken & Waffles on Sunday, according to Erwin. The full list of booths has candle makers, permanent jewelry vendors, watercolor artists, spice vendors, gardeners and many others.
More spring festivities will take place the following weekend. The Harbor in Bloom Spring Faire, produced by Stellar Soirées Event Creation, will fill the Gig Harbor Civic Center Green with local vendors, workshops, sponsors, interactives and local musicians from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 16.
Spring Faire organizer Jennifer Day told The News Tribune in an email that the idea grew out of conversations with friends and a desire to spotlight women-owned businesses. Around 70 artisans and makers will participate in the market, she wrote in an email.
“Spring in Gig Harbor is so gorgeous, and I knew I could design an event that felt more like a festival — something immersive, creative, and welcoming for all ages and visitors,” she wrote.
“After connecting with other local business owners and learning about springtime activities already happening in the area, I chose the weekend after Mother’s Day to continue the celebration of the earth awakening and to give the community something fun and sparkly to look forward to. The vision is to create a vibrant spring celebration centered on creativity, connection, and supporting local businesses.”
