Small Business Owners Making The Most Of Winterfest
PROSPECT HEIGHTS – Following a series of articles detailing issues at Winterfest at Brooklyn Museum, merchants participating in the event ask, despite the controversies, for locals to visit the holiday market to support the small businesses there.
“As a vendor here I can attest to the problems outlined in the article,” wrote a commenter identified as P. “However, there are fantastic local artisans selling here, and we are blameless in the difficulties that have occurred at the market. We hope Brooklynites come out and support Brooklyn’s small businesses!”
“So many great brands make up this market! A little bit of something for everyone. Come out, shop with us!” commenter Jessica added. “Spread love, it’s the Brooklyn way.”
Winterfest debuted at a 40,000-square-foot outdoor space behind the Brooklyn Museum on November 23 and is scheduled to run though December 31. The event’s press release and website initially claimed that the lot would be transformed into a winter wonderland featuring shopping, entertainment, and paid family attractions—including Santa Land, a Snowzilla slide, a Spectacular Menorah, a giant snow globe, and a tree maze—most of which were lackluster or never even appeared, causing many disappointed families to seek refunds. The Brooklyn Museum demanded that Winterfest organizers stop charging admission at the end of November.
Vendors, who have paid thousands of dollars to participate in the event’s marketplace, have cited sluggish foot traffic, reduced hours, electrical problems, and a lack of advertising as some of the reasons behind their slow sales during this typically busy shopping season.
If you still have some holiday shopping left to do, consider stopping by the outdoor market. See the list of Winterfest vendors below (including a few who have chosen to leave the event). There’s jewelry, accessories, clothing, bath products, herbs, teas, toys, culinary treats, and more to help you finish up your gift list.
Click on the links to preview what’s on offer before heading to the market, or simply shop online. (Let us know if we’ve missed anyone.)
Also, check out The Happy Cactus Gifts & Home Decor, who experienced similar problems last year while participating in Boston Winter which was run by the same organizers.
Winterfest at Brooklyn Museum Hours:
Thursdays & Fridays 1pm to 8pm
Saturdays 11am to 8pm
Sundays 11am to 6pm
Afrodesiac Worldwide
Agowa Handmade
All American Wontons
Alma Knitwear
Andrej Urem Collection
Anton’s Dumplings
Article 22
Bear Hands & Buddies
Bellewaera
Botanical Springs
Brooklyn Bar Body & Bath
Cashmere From Kashmir
ChocoIdea
Coko Jewelry
Craftspring
Dancing Amulets
Dropping Seeds
Grace Oliver
Hanukkah Pong
Hella Cocktail
Hell’s Kitchen Hot Sauce
Himalayan Artwear/Windhorse
Horman’s Best Pickles
Jeff’s Amazing Kettle Corn
Joyful Look
JWhite Original
Lagustas Luscious
Lion City Coffee
Little Poland Gallery
Live Poultry Designs
Marquet Fair Trade
Marty’s V Burger
Mike’s Hot Honey
Minka Brooklyn
Mishu Designs
Miss Tea
My Mighty Magnet
No Chewing Allowed!
Oaxaca Taqueria
Pals Socks
Pamela Barsky
Remedies Herb Shop
Rip’s Malt Shop
Rockstar Revolution
Sweet Maresa
Tellefsen Atelier
TrueStim
Viva Zapata!
Wafels & Dinges
Winterbourne Alpaca
Yogibo