With festive music, steaming hot cocoa and plenty of shoppers ready to buy, it appeared that the holiday season had finally begun at the second annual Winter Night Market, on Thursday, Dec. 5.
The market, located in Cal State Monterey Bay’s (CSUMB) Otter Student Union Ballroom, had 127 attendees registered, but in reality, there were likely over 200 in attendance, as passersby stopped in to have a look.
Of the roughly 40 small vendors set up in the ballroom, one could find an immense variety of handicrafts, art pieces and sweet treats available for purchase.
The Winter Night Market, “was a really big hit last year, which is why we brought it back–and it’s doing just as well,” said Amber Dimassimo, of Associated Students which partnered with CSUMB’s Institute for Innovation and Economic Development (IIED), Student Engagement & Leadership Development and the Entrepreneurship Club to make the event happen.
While the Night Market also drew small businesses from the surrounding community, a large portion of the vendors were students, like first-year biology major Alicia Daniels, founder of “Alicia’s Crochet.” It was Daniels’ first time selling crochet crafts at a school event.
“Everyone’s really nice and friendly…happy to be in the holiday season,” said Daniels, after selling a crochet beanie to one shopper.
Indeed this was a major goal of the event – to inspire and elevate aspiring student entrepreneurs at CSUMB – according to Rosalyn Sandoval, assistant professor of entrepreneurship and management.
“It’s hard to be a business,” Sandoval said. To help reduce some of the entry barriers for new business owners, the Winter Night Market allowed vendors to sell without business licenses or take a cut of their earnings.
“It’s a really great experience for [student vendors],” Sandoval said.
Fifth-year visual public art major, Tristan Bochum, who was selling prints, comics and tote bags, described the Night Market as both “very relaxed and very professional.”
“I think it’s a great opportunity for students to actually dip their toes into the sort of professional market aspect,” Bochum said.
This wide variety of vendors and products sold at the Night Market seemed to be appreciated by shoppers in attendance, like third-year psychology major Amaye Munoz, who described it as, “very diverse, accepting and creative.”
“I bought a bunch of freeze-dried snacks and this cinnamon and churro glazed waffle…[the Night Market] is great, it’s very vibrant and there’re a lot more shops than the farmers market,” said first-year marine science major Damien Velasquez.
As Velasquez said this, the student ensemble performing mellow holiday tunes took a break, and was replaced by a lone guitarist’s acoustic, instrumental rendition of Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit.”
All of the musicians performing at the Night Market were students from the Music Production and Artist Development class, and similar to the aspiring entrepreneurs, used the event as an easy way to share their craft with their peers in a welcoming environment.
“It’s student-driven. It’s their art, their arrangements, their ideas center stage and that’s what makes it special,” said Jeffery Jones, instructor of the class.
“It’s definitely a supportive community,” said third-year music major, Brandon James, who was on piano and vocals. Indeed, for musicians, entrepreneurs and shoppers alike, this supportive environment seemed to be a common theme.
For MaryJo Zenk of IIED, who was involved in finding the vendors, the apparent success of Thursday’s event followed a simple formula: “One, you’re supporting local vendors. Two you’re able to start your holiday shopping. And three, you’re bringing people together to start the holiday season.”