One City, Old Town Cape promoting local vendors with holiday events Saturday

One City and Old Town Cape will be hosting their own separate holiday shopping events this weekend at One City and outside The Indie House in Cape Girardeau, respectively, to promote local businesses.

‘Holiday Shop’

One City is partnering with 20 North Pacific for their first ever “Holiday Shop” from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, which will host 22 Black-owned businesses, vendors and artists selling jewelry, clothing, bakery items, makeup, art and more at the One City building at 610 Independence St.

“So many people aren’t at that point in their business to have the opportunity to have a true brick-and-mortar where you would drive by and see them, but there are so many people in our community, especially Black, African American people who are working, but they are doing it from their home or online,” said Raelenna Ferguson, executive director and co-founder of One City. “So, that’s why we wanted to give them the space to come and physically display what they do and have people meet our neighbors face to face and see the great products they have. And it just brings everybody together when we share resources and we know each other.”

Ferguson said the idea came from a similar event at One City in June when they hosted Black businesses for Juneteenth.

“We had hundreds of people show up and everyone kept asking, like, ‘This is a great thing. Can we do it again? Can we do it again?’ So, we decided to do it for Christmas and are just trying to get the word out for people to come downtown for the holidays and also come by our building and shop, as well. Even if you’re not shopping, come by and meet local businesses.”

Face coverings will be required for entry to the event and social distancing will be encouraged. Ferguson said they will also be counting heads and limiting the number of people inside at a time to have enough room for social distancing.

‘Holiday Bazaar’

Old Town Cape’s 18th annual Downtown Christmas Open House will be held over two days, from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, with live caroling, horse-drawn wagon rides and a chance to win a downtown shopping spree.

During the second day, local businesses will be on display for the second annual “Holiday Bazaar” on the same day as the Holiday Shop. It will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. outside on North Frederick Street, between Broadway and Themis Street in Cape Girardeau, with vendors selling homemade, handcrafted and local products.

“This year more than ever, we want to see folks get into these businesses to support them and to help them meet their yearly goals, to promote shopping locally, because when you shop locally, you also help our community as a whole,” Old Town Cape marketing director Jordyn Ruble said.

Vendors from last year and new vendors will be present and selling products such as produce, baked goods, artisan crafts, customizable gifts and more. Old Town Cape will also have a booth selling its holiday ornaments, including this year’s ornament of Ivers Square.

Old Town Cape asks visitors of the event wear face coverings if older than 9 and to respect social-distancing guidelines.