📅 Friday, December 1st – Saturday, December 2nd
📍Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Discovery Center: 440 5th Avenue, Seattle
⏰ 10 am – 5 pm
🎟 Free to attend
Friday, December 1st – Saturday, December 2nd
In 2011, Small Business Saturday became an official day, offering early holiday shoppers an alternative to Black Friday to support small businesses. Keeping in line with shopping with a purpose is the Giving Marketplace at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Discovery Center—across from Seattle Center—where you can get a head start on your gift-buying while supporting great causes too. The marketplace is free to attend and great for all ages.
So far, here is the list of vendors set to appear:
African Print Takeover
Ajiri Tea Company
Awamaki
BaMatooke Made
Black Coffee Northwest
Friends of the Seattle Public Library
Friends of the WPC Nepal
Hawo Arts
One Vibe
Path with Art
Poverty Bay Coffee Company
Radical Grandma Collective
Refugee Artisan Initiative
Sacred Circle Gifts and Art
Seattle Fair Trade
Seeking Ferments
Snow Leopard Trust
Spír Candle Co.
TASWIRA
Tilth Alliance
The Pastry Project
UKUSH Handmade
Unkitawa
Ventures Marketplace
Water 1st
Water from Wine
Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience
Zuri
And whenever you need a breather from all the browsing, both days of the market promise plenty of activities. If you decide to drop in on Friday, you’ll be able to catch live music from Kenyan American singer-songwriter Naomi Wachira from 11 – 12 pm and 1 – 2 pm, along with animal portrait painting by Michelle Lassaline. If you’ve ever wondered what animal you embody, here’s your chance.
Saturday’s events include a performance from Brazilian guitar musician Marco de Carvalho and a wreath-making workshop from Jess Cheng in which she’ll be demonstrating how to turn dried flowers and invasive plant matter into a fully biodegradable mini-wreath. Guided ornament and jewelry-making will be taking place on both days as well, so if nothing catches your eye for some reason, you’ll at least be able to walk away with some handmade gifts.
At the Discovery Center’s annual Giving Marketplace, you can support a good cause while shopping for everyone on your list.
