Local producers choose small winter and Christmas markets … (Turnhout)

Stien Jacobs and Evelyne Hendrickx organize a Christmas market in Roosekes Breem on December 4. It is a market for local entrepreneurs. “It’s all women and they don’t have a physical store yet,” says Evelyn. “We have two good reasons to do this. We are all rookie entrepreneurs and want to see people again.”

Ladies also hope to get some name recognition at the Christmas market, but the most important thing is not to create a cozy atmosphere. “We know each other. We make our own merchandise. Stien makes children’s clothing, and I sew and design jewelry. We have someone who bakes cookies, a candle maker, a potter, and even a liqueur distiller.”

For some participants, the Christmas market may be a springboard for more. “As a novice entrepreneur, I notice that you have to fight hard,” Evelyn learned. “But gift time can give a boost to our small businesses.”

Stien promises “every visitor gets a glass of wine or chocolate.” “We also provide a real Christmas atmosphere and a bar. We want people to leave here with an idea: we will go there again next year.”

There are only eight entrepreneurs at the Christmas Market at Rosex Prime. “We keep it small on purpose. Every entrepreneur should get a chance to sell something. Because making these merchandise takes a lot of time.”

Evelyn started knitting after exhaustion. “I’ve never been creative before, but I love to do it. We are seeing a growing interest in locally made products during the Corona crisis. I am already dreaming of a convenience store, but I realize it is a risk.”

Sixty is also on the verge of choosing: a major or minor profession. “I especially want to continue to enjoy making children’s clothing.”

The Roosekes Breem Christmas Market takes place on Saturday 4th December from 11am-6pm at Roosekes Breem, Breem 80/5 in Vosselaar.

winter market

Local producers can also be found in the center of Turnhout. Wendy Raymakers, Director of Concept Store Vita at Otterstraat, is organizing the Wintermakersmarkt for four weekends. “Many manufacturers are finding it more difficult to come up with their products in this Corona time,” she says. “This was also the impetus for our store concept. In the store you will find products from already more well-known makers, in the Winter Makers Market we want to show the starters.”

These producers don’t just come from the region. In addition to the many Kempen producers, there are also those from the Antwerp and Ghent regions. “Every weekend there are thirty jobs, but it’s not always the same. The offer is very diverse. From greeting cards from Fleur, who also designed our poster, to soap makers, to jewelry designers or florists. It’s all there.”

The Winter Makers’ Market is held in the garage of the former Vita T-shirt Factory. This can be accessed through the ‘t Steentje gate in the Grote Markt, next to the Tourism & Out service. It has an area of ​​240 square metres, which is covered but open and airy. The space has been completely renovated and is actually too beautiful to be a garage.”

There are still a few places available for exhibitors. “We also keep some free stands for associations that have something new or original to offer. So they can definitely contact me.”

The Wintermakersmarkt takes place on weekends 27 and 28 November, 4 and 5 December, 11 and 12 December, and 18 and 19 December, each time from 10am to 6pm at the Vita Hemdenfabriek, the entrance is via the Grote Markt in Turnhout.

charity

If you haven’t found your pick yet, there is also a “Cold Days, Warme Harten” at the Panorama Zomerbar on the Diksmuidestraat in Turnhout. This is a winter market for a good reason: fighting cancer. It’s the second edition of this event, where you can buy gadgets, but you can also have a drink and chat.

Cold days, Warme Harten takes place on November 27 from 12 noon to 10 pm.