New Hamlin artisan market caters to Horizon West

Ten minutes before the inaugural Hamlin Artisan Market was officially open, Erin Doggette already had a line of customers outside her booth.

That was the moment that Doggette, owner of Crave Confectionery Soaps, knew this market was going to be a success.

“My sugar scrubs, I literally had those stacked up, and now I have three left,” Doggette said. “Within the first 30 minutes, those were gone, so sales have been great so far. There’s very friendly people in the community, there’s dogs, everybody’s out here.”

The Hamlin Artisan Market kicked off Sunday, Dec. 16, with more than a dozen local vendors participating. Because the vendor interest has been so high, Hamlin representatives wrote on social media, the vendors will vary from week to week. 

According to the Hamlin Facebook page, featured vendors will offer a diverse selection of handcrafted items; ice cream and other treats; Brazilian, Korean, Spanish, Polish and Venezuelan cuisines; jewelry; bath and body-care products; fresh flowers; clothing; and more.

However, the new Sunday market does not feature produce and is promoted as an artisan rather than a farmers market.

Lindsay Turner — who works with Horizon West Happenings to provide a place for members of the community to showcase their businesses, services and products — is thrilled the market is finally open.

“We’ve been waiting forever for this to come to fruition, so it’s a place that we can connect with the community and that we can see what else is being offered and reach more people,” Turner said. “We’re really excited that it’s here and it’s walkable and a place where the community can be together and spend time together.”

Shoppers perused all of the different booths, some getting their last-minute Christmas shopping out of the way or stopping for a sweet treat. Even Santa Claus had his own space, where he greeted children and listened to their Christmas wishes before posing for photos.

“All of the structural needs of the community are being met — we’re building the roads, we’re building the schools, we’re building out the infrastructure — but the cultural needs of the community have been waiting in the wings for their chance to shine,” Turner said. “So now with the artisan market and the Horizon West Theater Company coming, there’s all kinds of amazing things happening. To be able to see it all come to life and have a crowd like this come out and have those needs met is incredible.”