HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — The MidCity Holiday Market on Nov. 17 brought out the best from local artisans and food vendors as they put their brightest baubles on display for people passing by on the street. And it brought thousands of shoppers, all eager to spend their money and a day in the sunshine.
Attendee Katelyn Hill said she's happy to see local sellers instead of big chain stores.
I've noticed, at least personally, as the city grows, we get more stuff, which is awesome.," Hill said. "But I feel like a lot of times those are like local vendors, local coffee shops. Small makers get kind of pushed out of the way for bigger chains to move in."
In fact, Hill said she comes to markets like these to support local vendors and get handmade products. Otherwise, she would have to find them online at a retail site like Etsy or Ebay.
"Having an ability to come and see all of this stuff physically is really, really nice," she said.
And events like these during the holiday season also set businesses up for success by bringing them a location and clientele. One of the vendors cooking up hot meals at MidCity District, Tamarind Island Grille has no trouble reeling in customers.
"They smell us first," said employee Angela Bryant.
Although the business has been off the ground since 2021, Bryant said it takes a constant effort to keep it all afloat.
"Small businesses, we have our struggles," Bryant said. "But when people say something, we try to respond. We try to meet that need. And there was a need for dinnertime, and so that's what we did."
But she added regardless of what people might say, there's one secret to keeping any business alive.
Bryant said, "They're repeat customers. That's how we know we're doing it right. They're always looking for that fish on Sunday, or those oxtails or her wonderful rice medley. They always come back, and that's all we need to see."
And for the shoppers on the other side of the counter, it might be all we need to smell to keep us coming back.
The MidCity Holiday Market is one of several events meant for the MidCity District area ahead of the holiday season, but you can find Tamarind Island Grille there anytime.
