The BIPOC Market celebrated diversity in Hamilton and helped attendees get started on their early holiday shopping
The annual Hamilton Day BIPOC Market came back on Nov. 4 at CoMotion on King from 10 a.m. to 4p.m. There was a local DJ, MOJ, in addition to 14 vendors, including Stone and Shadow, Ashantae Scented Soy Candles, Henna Script, Lydie Customs and Travelling Feet Books. This market was in collaboration with Momoco Donuts, Chillis & Chimneys and Recess Photo Studio who had special promos for the market.
Black Owned Hamont has been doing markets since 2021, and they host around 10 every year throughout Hamilton, Niagara and Grimsby. In 2022, they hosted their first Hamilton Day BIPOC Market on James St. N. This year, they’re shaking things up with a new DJ and five new vendors.
Hamilton Day is all about celebrating Hamilton and supporting local businesses, making it a great way to kick off the holiday shopping season. Black Owned Hamont hopes their BIPOC Market will highlight people from marginalized communities because the spotlight isn't always on them. Through their markets, they provide a space to bring BIPOC-owned small businesses to the forefront.
“This is going to be a very busy shopping season. So. . . [everyone should] just do a little bit of research to see if there's an alternative by someone who has made it here locally, [which] I think is a better choice, and sometimes the prices are comparable,” said Alexandria Montague, one of the co-founders of Black Owned Hamont.
Black Owned Hamont hopes that attendees will realize that Hamilton is diverse and has a lot to offer. They also hope that their vendors will feel supported by the community.
“We're here to support our vendors and bring them to the market. So not only to sell, but also [to get them] customers, sometimes it's a follow on Instagram, and then the customer will go back to them and get a service or good,” said Montague.
They hope their market will bring the Hamilton community together and emphasize that the city itself is shared common ground between all Hamiltonians.
Stay tuned for their next market at Market Square in St. Catherine’s on Nov. 26, which will feature over 40 vendors and will be their last market of the year.
The Timeless Vintage Market brought a unique curated vintage collection back this fall
The Timeless Vintage Market came back this month on Sep. 16 on 11 George St. and 32 Hess St., featuring 20 Ontario-based vendors of curated vintage. Some of the vendors included Snafu, Vintage Meets Hype, Streetsville Vintage and more.
The Timeless Vintage Market started hosting events in 2022, and Sept. 16 marked their fifth market. They tarted hosting vintage markets in Hamilton because they realized that other big cities in Ontario had vintage markets, while Hamilton did not.
They started planning their Sept. 16 market in April, and they rented out two buildings to improve wait times, issue they faced in previous markets. They aimed to have a variety of vendors and had them curate their own specific niche, from y2k to women’s wear.
Niche markets have become more popular over the past few years, especially vintage markets, which are collectives that curate second-hand clothing. They provide a one-stop shop for a variety of vintage items.
“So, there [are] some people [who] like true vintage, which is stuff between the 50s [and the] 80s. [There are some p]eople [who] specialize in [what] they really know; women's wear is popular right now, especially in the fall season,” explained David MacMullen, the founder of DropSpot Vintage and the coordinator of the Timeless Vintage Market.
So, there [are] some people [who] like true vintage, which is stuff between the 50s [and the] 80s. [There are some p]eople [who] specialize in [what] they really know; women's wear is popular right now, especially in the fall season.
David MacMullen, founder of DropSpot Vintage and coordinator of the Timeless Vintage Market
They also selected vendors that have their own following, so that they could also bring their own audience to the markets. This allows the market to reach the most amount of people they can.
They decided to introduce items to students this time and carried items other than clothing.
“This time, we decided to introduce things specifically for students, because we have people coming into the shop all the time asking, “Hey, can we buy posters or vinyls?” So, we've gone ahead and gotten a bunch of vendors that are going to be carrying those items for the market,” said MacMullen.
There is a sense of individuality and personality to each piece that some people love about the slow fashion movement. For others, like MacMullen, there is excitement in the collector's aspect, and they’re always on the hunt for a unique piece to add to their closet.
“So, I think that for sure, I've always just liked finding other things to add to my closet that I really enjoy. And definitely right up there is like finding pieces that other people are super excited about,” said MacMullen.
So, I think that for sure, I've always just liked finding other things to add to my closet that I really enjoy. And definitely right up there is like finding pieces that other people are super excited about.
David MacMullen, founder of DropSpot Vintage and coordinator of the Timeless Vintage Market
They hope that attendees were able to enjoy the experience and picked up something worthwhile, especially since vintage items tend to be better quality and more unique than fast fashion.
“I would really hope that people just think it's a crazy experience. Obviously, they find something that they're super excited about, whether that's something to wear or something to hang up in their room,” said MacMullen.
I would really hope that people just think it's a crazy experience. Obviously, they find something that they're super excited about, whether that's something to wear or something to hang up in their room.
David MacMullen, founder of DropSpot Vintage and coordinator of the Timeless Vintage Market
The Timeless Vintage Market has their next event in Toronto on Oct. 28. Be sure to check it out!
Hamilton Day event supports local businesses in the city.
On Nov. 5, the city held its second annual Hamilton Day event, a one-day vendor event focused on showcasing and supporting local businesses.
The event was first held in 1931 by the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce during the Great Depression in order to help the economy and the city’s people. It has now evolved into a strong symbol of staying strong during hard times.
After working with the Stoney Creek & Flamborough Chambers and the 13 Business Improvement Areas in 2021, Hamilton Day was even able to help small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. The event supports all types of businesses, from cafes, bars, theatres, retail shops and florists to gym, fitness studios and independent artists and musicians.
For the special day, many businesses offered specials or collaborated with other businesses to promote local shopping. They also received a free three-month membership to GetintheLoop, Hamilton Day’s official partner, to gain access to various resources and be featured on the online map.
Katie Stiel, the project manager at the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, participated in the organization of last year’s Hamilton Day event and was excited to plan it again as there was an overwhelmingly positive response last year.
“People flocked to [Hamilton Day]. They were so keen to share where they were supporting [and] who people should go check out in the city,” she said.
“People flocked to [Hamilton Day]. They were so keen to share where they were supporting [and] who people should go check out in the city."
Katie Stiel, project manager Of Hamilton Chamber of Commerce
Business owners also shared it was also one of the busiest days of the year. Many had special promotions for Hamilton Day and worked together with the community to stir up optimism and enthusiasm for local small businesses.
In addition to showcasing businesses that have permanent locations, the Hamilton Day event wanted to focus on pop-ups or marketplaces that sell to customers. All the different businesses that come out and partnerships with so many industries are all part of what makes this event unique to the city.
The variety of options and markets part of the event are what makes it different from anything else in Hamilton. From the Ottawa Street Farmers Market to the BIPOC market at Afrolicious, there is bound to be something for everyone on Hamilton Day.
Stiel explained the event was a great opportunity for McMaster students to explore the city of Hamilton and see everything the city has to offer. The event allows people to see other communities that they may not be normally exposed to and learn about the people who make up the city and its surrounding neighbourhoods.
“It's a great chance for students to get to know their neighbours, know local businesses, see what's here and see all the amazing things their city has to offer,” Stiel explained.
In the future, Stiel hopes Hamilton Day will grow and expand into an even bigger venture. By taking feedback from businesses and consumers, the event can improve to create the best possible experience for everyone.
“It's a great opportunity to for patrons to explore the city. And it's a great opportunity for businesses to raise their hand and use a platform to engage with the community...I would just encourage people to make the day their own,” she stated.
All the available businesses that participated in the event can be found on the website. Hamilton Day is the perfect choice for a fun outing with friends while still supporting the city at the same time.
Hamilton Artists Inc. and Ushi Mart have created platforms for customers to safely buy from small businesses
With heightened uncertainty, evolving public health guidelines and many people heading online to shop for gifts, many winter markets have closed this holiday season. However, a few have stayed open by pivoting to the physically distanced shopping experiences. Quirky AF | art fair hosted by Hamilton Artists Inc. and Winter Holiday Market by Ushi Mart are two local makers’ markets that have found ways to keep their doors open despite the ongoing pandemic.
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Quirky AF is a curated art, craft and design market that showcases handmade pieces by local artists. The pop-up market went from Nov. 17 to 30 and featured jewelry, zines, clothing, accessories and many other items by uniquely talented and avant-garde makers from Hamilton and the surrounding areas.
The market first launched last year at Hamilton Artists Inc. during a James Street North art crawl. It garnered a lot of traffic and was an important weekend for many local vendors. However, this year in light of the pandemic, the Inc. cancelled all of its in-person programming.
Instead, the Inc. decided to host the market virtually through their website. The high engagement and support from the community for their other online programming motivated them to bring back Quirky AF. The market was also met with great support and response from the community.
The primary reason for opening the market was to continue supporting local artists who had lost many opportunities to showcase their work due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the cancellation of large fairs and events such as Supercrawl.
The primary reason for opening the market was to continue supporting local artists who had lost many opportunities to showcase their work due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the cancellation of large fairs and events such as Supercrawl.
“The main goal is to create excitement around the market and each of the vendors, and really try to emphasize that . . . these are artists that have been really impacted by [the COVID-19 pandemic],” said Jasmine Mander, the communications and outreach coordinator at Hamilton Artist Inc.
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Supporting local businesses during this difficult time is critical as the arts are often one of the industries that are affected first and the most heavily during an economic crisis, such as the current pandemic.
Overall, Mander says the pandemic has presented both advantages and challenges. It has made the market, gallery and other programming at the Inc. more accessible as a heavier online focus has pushed them to improve their accessibility features such as closed captioning at speaker events and adding alternative text for pictures on their social media. However, the formation of real connections are limited online.
“It will be interesting for me when we go back to [in-person events] to compare this year to see how we can maybe merge [online and in-person programming]” said Mander. “I think [the COVID-19 pandemic] has made a lot of people rethink the way they have been doing things for a very long time.”
“I think [the COVID-19 pandemic] has made a lot of people rethink the way they have been doing things for a very long time,” Mander said.
Another market similarly impacted by the current pandemic is the Winter Holiday Market organized by Ushi Mart, a shop located at The Cotton Factory. Ushi Mart is run by a collective of artists and clothiers who create one-of-a-kind, sustainable and upcycled clothing, textiles and embroidery.
Winter Holiday Market is open until Dec. 28, and it’s the first year running. The market features around 35 vendors and all the proceeds from the market admission ticket will go toward Wesley Urban Ministries, a non-profit organization that offers support to those who are homeless or living in poverty in the Hamilton, Halton and Brantford regions.
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The collective behind Ushi Mart decided to open a winter market this year due to the cancellation of many markets, which is especially important for local and small businesses during the holidays. Ashley Bullock, the founder and chief executive officer at Ushi Mart, says she wanted to create something safe with the space she has to promote local businesses.
The Winter Holiday Market is organized for visits by appointment only, with a maximum of five visitors per hour. Visitors can also book an hour of personal shopping experience. Depending on the evolving situation and status of COVID-19 cases in Hamilton, they are also prepared to take their market online.
So far, the response to the market has been positive.
“For the businesses, [the Winter Holiday Market] is a way that we can group together, promote as a whole and really support each other. For people who are shopping and who are looking for items, it's a great way to [explore] a variety of businesses, so later on down the road, you'll know in the city that you're living who you can support rather than going to larger corporate stores,” said Bullock.
“For the businesses, [the Winter Holiday Market] is a way that we can group together, promote as a whole and really support each other," said Bullock.
Despite hurdles placed by the current pandemic, local artisans and businesses have come together to support each other and survive the pandemic. While our favourite fall and winter markets have been postponed until next year, it is fortunate that a few have found ways to remain open and support the community and local businesses.
Transmit to these virtual and physically distanced events during your winter break
As the holidays approach, snow blankets the streets, colourful lights twinkle as they adorn the outline of houses and the smell of Pillsbury’s cookies fills the air. Although the COVID-19 pandemic has forced the provincial government to not allow large social gatherings, the spirit of the holidays lives on.
There are still many virtual and physically distanced events that can help you recover from stressful exams and reconnect with the community. Whether you are in Hamilton or on the other side of the world, there is something for everyone in this list of eight winter events happening in Hamilton.
1. The Holidays, Mental Health & COVID-19
Wondering how to manage all the changes this holiday season? This webinar from the Hamilton branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association is taking place on Dec. 15 at 1:00 p.m. It will take a deeper look at how the COVID-19 has and will impact the 2020 holiday season. The webinar will give concrete strategies to maintain your mental health and stay connected to your loved ones during the holidays.
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2. Ushi Mart Winter Holiday Market
Ushi Mart is hosting a physically distanced in-person winter market at The Cotton Factory from Nov. 28 to Dec. 28. A wide variety of local vendors will be selling art, jewelry, housewares, clothing and trinkets. Tickets are $5, and customers will need to book their visit ahead of time as only five visitors can enter per hour. All proceeds from the market will go toward Wesley Urban Ministries, a non-profit organization that offers support to those who are homeless or living in poverty in the Hamilton, Halton and Brantford regions.
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3. Christmas Store & Tree Farm
Until Dec. 22, you can cut your own or purchase a pre-cut Christmas Tree at Merry Farms on Concession Road. It’s a 176-acre farm also popular for its corn maze and pumpkin patch in the fall. Reservations must be made in advance through their website. They also have a Christmas store on-site where you can find unique items to decorate your house. On Dec. 12 and 13, Merry Farms is offering on-site food service by The Rockton Lions Club.
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4. Art Gallery of Hamilton Film Series
If you are on the hunt for a new show or movie to watch, join the Art Gallery of Hamilton’s Online Film Series from the comfort of your home. The series, which is available for a fee, will last throughout December, and you can stream films such as God of the Piano, Queen of Hearts: Audrey Flack and Rocks. Check out their website for more information about when the tickets for each film will become available.
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5. Supercrawl Livestream Series
Although Supercrawl was cancelled this year due to the pandemic, they are hosting a series of livestreamed performances every weekend until the end of December. The virtual concerts, which are held through Facebook, are free. Upcoming performances include Tim Hicks, The Dirty Nil and Terra Lightfoot.
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6. Royal Botanical Garden Express
Hop on the Royal Botanical Garden Express train through Hendrie Park, which is decorated for the season with beautiful holiday lights. Hendrie Park is the largest cultivated garden area at Royal Botanical Gardens with 12 different themed spaces. Tickets can be purchased at the main doors and the rides will remain open until Jan. 3.
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7. Goodbody Feel December Workshops
Goodbodyfeel is offering various virtual workshops for self-care, self-love and self-compassion during the holidays. You can learn about restorative postures, how to do a guided self-massage, how to bake seasonal treats, participate in an online dance party and more. Different workshops will be held each week from Dec. 12 until Dec. 31 to help you destress and relax.
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There is no better way to put yourself in a festive mood than listening to holiday music. The Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra Brass Quintet will perform holiday classics and excerpts from Handel’s Messiah on Dec. 18. The performance will be available to watch online until Jan. 18, 2021. This concert is part of the orchestra’s Hamilton Series and tickets are available for $27.
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With the rise in popularity of Supercrawl, Hamilton’s largest arts and culture street festival, the city is becoming increasingly known for its talented artists. Many of these artists can be seen at the Night Market at Absinthe (38 King William St.) during Supercrawl. On Friday Sept. 13 and Saturday Sept 14 from 6 p.m. - 2 a.m., the annual Night Market will once again take place at Absinthe on King William Street, providing a space for a wide range of eclectic and unique artists to showcase their work.
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Julie Fazooli, the organizer of the Night Market, calls herself a multi-disciplined creative. With work ranging from graphic design and photography to event coordination, it’s easy to see why. Five years ago she piloted the Night Market with her friend, Lauren Olson, and she has been running it ever since. What began as a small group of five or six artists has blossomed into two days of food, music and creativity. One main goal of the Night Market is to create an all-inclusive space for both artists and patrons alike.
“We do really represent everybody in our market. We try to get a huge diverse group of people because we want everyone to be represented. It’s important that it’s accessible to everyone, and interesting to everybody and to give everybody a voice … [it’s] a nice little island where everyone is accepted,” said Fazooli.
The Market features a mix of what Fazooli calls her top quality oddity vendors. There’s truly something for everyone, whether that be the recycled bicycle rubber accessories of Black Line Accessories, the scientific experiments of Nighttime Nicholas or something in between. The Market is curated to ensure that each artist is bringing something unique to ensure that there is no overlap. Many of the artists also support the environment.
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“A lot of these vendors are repurposing or reusing or remixing existing objects, which is amazing to see, a lot of it is really sustainable,” said Fazooli.
In order to make the most of the space, Fazooli and Absinthe have had to choose fewer artists than in years past; however, this means that the artists present are truly the best of the craft.
“It’s going to be a little bit smaller, [but] it’s still going to be a huge party,” said Fazooli, “Bring your friends, bring your grandparents, bring your third cousin twice removed and bring your curiosity.”
The Night Market is open to all ages until 10 p.m. and is free. On Friday night, you can see Born in the Eighties, an 80s cover band that brings an exclusive Supercrawl set list that you will not want to miss. On Saturday, catch Take Cover, a 90s cover band that primarily covers grungy, late 90s songs. Both bands perform at Absinthe during their monthly decade themed nights, so if you miss them at Supercrawl you can always see them again. For up to the minute updates and a comprehensive list of vendors, check out the Night Market event page on Facebook.
Supercrawl is a huge event for the arts and culture scene, and it's important to support local artists, both big and small, in the community. Most of the artists at the Night Market are GTA centred, putting the focus on local and homegrown talent. The Market has made a space for local artists to experiment and create unique work.
The Night Market at Absinthe during Supercrawl - Sept. 13 & 14
Art event in Hamilton, ON, Canada by Fazooli and Absinthe Hamilton on Friday, September 13 2019 with 438 people interested.24 posts in the discussion.
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When I started out as the Opinions Editor for The Silhouette this past year, I admittedly didn’t care much about student politics or governance. I was unfamiliar with the policies of the McMaster Students Union and had no idea what happened during Student Representative Assembly meetings.
Nowadays, I regularly watch the SRA livestreams and perform my due diligence to be aware of changes occurring within the MSU. A large part of that is for my job, but I’ve found that staying informed has benefits beyond finding something to write about.
The purpose of the MSU is to “represent you and to help build a better community for all students”. As the governing body of the MSU, SRA members have a responsibility to represent and lobby on behalf of their students.
It’s only fair then that we as students hold these members, and the MSU in general, accountable for their actions. In doing so, we are ensuring that any changes occurring are truly reflective of the needs and desires of students.
There’s many ways for students can hold these organizations accountable. They can attend SRA meetings, speak to their SRA representative, voice their concerns online or even protest for change.
Alternatively, you can do what I do, and write about your concerns for the campus newspaper. Perhaps some of my criticisms have been harsh or slightly misguided. But at the end of the day, I’m proud of the articles that I’ve written and edited for The Silhouette. Even if they have stepped on some toes, I’d like to think they’ve helped incite some positive changes on campus.
Whether these changes are a fully-stocked Union Market or investigations into MSU-recognized clubs, it’s evident that speaking out on issues is important.
Not everything the SRA or MSU has done has been negative. In fact, they have made some great, positive changes that are deserving of praise, or at the very least, of respect.
A few weeks ago, I had plans to write about the SRA’s contradictory playing of the national anthem and delivery of a land acknowledgment at their meetings. To my surprise, I found that they passed a motion to stop playing the national anthem at their meetings altogether. Things like these are positive changes that students should be aware of.
Of course, there is only so much that students can do. Given the record eight students who attended the General Assembly on March 20, it is obvious that the MSU must do a better job at engaging with their student constituents.
But just because the MSU and SRA have much to improve doesn’t mean that students are off the hook for staying informed. Without student input and advocacy efforts, organizations are given too much power and can make decisions that negatively impact us all.
For example, without the efforts of a few brave survivors telling their experiences with sexual assault within the MSU Maroons, it’s unlikely that the service would be doing anything to account for the issue, much less propose developing a long-overdue sexual assault and harassment policy.
I encourage students to get engaged with their university’s politics. It might seem overwhelming, and the information is certainly not easy to navigate, but it’s important work.
Especially in light of the upcoming changes to post-secondary education made by the provincial government, it is in the best interests of all students to be engaged with their union’s activities.
My term at The Silhouette is reaching a close. I’ve learned a lot during my time working for the newspaper but my biggest takeaway is that student politics affects us all, including those outside of the MSU bubble. For our own sake, we ought to keep our student organizations accountable for their actions.
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By: Jenna Tziatis, Marketing Assistant, McMaster University Continuing Education
In today’s tough job market a degree alone may not be enough to get you the job or promotion that you’re looking for. Employer expectations are higher and are expecting more than the knowledge that comes with a degree. They are also scrutinizing candidates based on their enhanced skill-sets and experience to ensure they are hiring someone who will fit and integrate into their business and culture with the least disruption.
Savvy students are realizing this trend and responding by upskilling themselves to ensure that they stand out in the employment crowd and that their resume rises to the top of the pile. If you’re thinking about getting ahead, McMaster Continuing Education offers a variety of learning options from diplomas and certificates to micro learning options. Whether your focus is in the field of business, health or professional development, there are many to choose from:
To make it easier for Mac students, McMaster Continuing Education offers a faster route to get you ahead with Degree + Diploma. This opportunity allows you to earn a diploma or certificate while you work toward your degree. You can use your elective credits in your current program of study toward a diploma or certificate with Continuing Education, allowing you to gain your qualifications faster. This opportunity is gaining popularity among Mac students and can be easily set up by contacting your Academic Advisor.
If you’re not ready to jump straight into getting a diploma or certificate you can always try one of McMaster Continuing Education professional development courses or attend our upcoming free Business Entrepreneur Series micro learning session that is running in spring. It’s a great way to gain valuable and recognized skills in a condensed learning format. To attend this series you can sign up at mcmastercce.ca/events/free-business-entrepreneurship-series
Regardless of what you decide, by recognizing the demands of today’s job market and being proactive to acquire the skills that businesses are looking for will make you more visible and appealing to employers. Continuing Education will give you that competitive edge to get ahead and land that job you’re looking for.
To learn more about these valuable learning options visit www.mcmastercce.ca
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Four McMaster students are helping a local gift-card cash-exchange company grow unexpectedly quickly in a relatively untapped Canadian market.
GiftCash is an online service startup based in Dundas that buys unredeemed or partially redeemed gift cards from customers in exchange for a percentage of the remaining value.
The company was co-founded in 2017 by Colin Moffat, a McMaster actuarial mathematics graduate, and his partner Kaya Harrod.
““Everybody buys gift cards and everybody receives them as gifts, and, a lot of time, people don't really want them,” Harrod said.
GiftCash runs a relatively simple but effective service. Prospective clients can go onto the site and check their gift card balance before submitting it. From there, the company offers a percentage of the card’s value. If the customer accepts, they receive an e-transfer payout within five business days.
Harrod and Moffat, are both from Ontario. Before starting the business, Moffat was playing professional poker in Las Vegas while completing his undergrad.
Inspired by a friend, Harrod and Moffat started the company as Moffat finished his degree. They officially incorporated GiftCash in August 2017, and hired their first employee in November.
Since 2017, GiftCash has grown quickly. Currently, more than 10,000 ‘orders’ of gift cards have been submitted to GiftCash, amounting to more than 40,000 cards redeemed by clients in total.
According to MarketWatch, Americans spent $130 billion on gift cards in 2017, but $1 billion were unspent.
One estimate in 2011 found that Canadians spent $6 billion a year on gift cards.
Because the Canadian gift card exchange industry is not as well-developed as the American market, Harrod and Moffat targeted Canadian clients at first.
“Raise and and CardPool kind of monopolized everything in the US, and they bring in millions of revenue themselves. There's nothing really like that in Canada,” Harrod said.
GiftCash’s biggest gift-card exchange competitor in Canada is CardSwap, which was founded in 2009.
However, encouraged by their early success, GiftCash expanded to the U.S. last year.
The company now already receives more orders per month from the U.S. than Canada.
GiftCash has fostered a close connection with McMaster as it has grown.
Including Moffat, eight GiftCash employees out of a total of fourteen in Canada are McMaster graduates or co-op students.
The company hired its first McMaster co-op student in 2018.
Currently, there are four co-op students working as data analysts, and Harrod and Moffat are looking to add to their team.
Harrod admits that she and Moffat did not expect the business to take off as fast as it did.
“Honestly, we didn't realize how big of a market this was until we kind of started. We kind of just jumped in headfirst and decided to do everything that we could,” Harrod said.
Harrod hopes GiftCash will be able to take the next step and become a major player in the Canadian and American market.
“Hopefully, by the end of this year, we'll have better infrastructure on the web site side, and we'll have a larger workforce,” Harrod said. “We'll be maybe not totally up there. I think that's a little bit of a high achievement. But at least we’ll be making a peg in the wall as we climb up to the top with our competitors.”
Students can find out more information about the startup at https://giftcash.ca/.
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When partners and food and beverage producers Ryan Chelak and Jules Lieff went looking for a production space, they came across a building at 98 Vine Street. While the space was larger than they required for their businesses, they decided to take it. Now they are sharing the extra space with Hamilton makers with their first Vine Street Makers’ Market set to take place on March 30.
The two-storey red-brick building was once the home of Hamilton Pure Dairy, which opened in 1907 to provide healthy, safe and pure milk to the community. It has been home to other businesses over the year and now houses Vibe Kombucha and FitOrganiX.
Chelak is the founder of Vibe Kombucha, a craft brewer of raw, organic kombucha tea. Lieff founded FitOrganiX, a daily meal delivery system that uses local, organic ingredients. They will be using the second floor of the building for production.
The main floor will be open to the community as studio and event space. While Chelak and Lieff are still determining exactly how they will use the space, they know they want it to cater to creatives in Hamilton.
“In talking to a number of artists in the community, in Hamilton, there seems to be a need, particularly where we are downtown, for creative space. All of the workshop, event spaces, they're all pricing a lot of these people out of the market,” Chelak explained.
The desire for space can be seen in how the market sold out of vendor space within a day and a half. By providing space at an accessible price point, Vine Street Market is allowing emerging makers the chance to bring their product to the public.
The markets are currently slated to be monthly, but Chelak said that they may change depending on the demand. Starting in May, they will also host a bimonthly thrifted, vintage market.
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However, the main floor will be more than just market space. At the back of the main floor, there will be collaborative work space for artists to work out of. This would also allow artists to have wall space in order to display their work for clients.
Vibe Kombucha and FitOrganiX will also be selling their products at 98 Vine Street. Chelak and Lieff hope to have a cafe counter where people can buy their products, along with food and beverages from other local producers.
Another important use for the space will be the workshops that makers can host. Having gotten into kombucha by giving workshops, Chelak appreciates the opportunity to share skills with others.
“You know sharing that knowledge is really what community is all about, whether it's making something to eat or drink or making… music or arts. People need outlets like that, maybe now more than ever when everything is fast-paced and we're so immersed in technology and our work… [T]hat time to create it is important,” Chelak said.
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The market will provide an opportunity for Hamiltonians to interact with and buy from local makers. While there is no restriction on where the makers hail from, the market will primarily host local creatives.
Chelak believes that the local creatives are leaders in Hamilton’s resurgence. However, more than helping to grow the city, Hamilton artists are also providing a welcoming and collaborative space for emerging artists to develop.
“Hamilton seems to be, from my perspective…, a city that is collaboration over competition… And I think when you have that mindset where you're looking to promote each other and/or share information or opportunities… then people are more apt to do the same back in return and the adage that when you first give and then you'll receive, it's really what it's all about,” Chelak said.
By creating an environment where artists can work together, Vine Street Market is joining the tradition of collaboration within Hamilton’s artistic community. Having this new space for makers to make and sell their art will allow more individuals with small businesses to flourish in this rapidly changing city. In turn, Vine Street Market will grow as well.
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