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Date: 10/19/2022
SPRINGFIELD – The Springfield Business Improvement District (BID) is having its first-ever indoor Winter Market. The market will take place every first and third Wednesday of the month from Nov. 2 through April 19, 2023, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the first floor of Tower Square on 1500 Main St.
So far, the market will have 20 vendors showcasing fresh produce, local meats and dairy, breads and sweets, handcrafted goods and much more. New vendors include Springfield Wine Exchange, D & R Farm, Bucket List Maple Syrup and Baker’s Lane Biscotti.
“We want to showcase what downtown Springfield has to offer,” stated Marketing and Creative Services Project Manager Samantha Savoie. “We want to showcase the access to fresh veggies and healthy and local foods. In December, we’ll be hosting a couple of holiday vendor pop-ups.”
She went on to say, “Then come February, it will be a perfect time to get Valentine’s Day gifts, so this is also a great opportunity for shoppers to come especially if you’re walking around downtown. This is a great place to go for local items, gifts, food and sweet goods.”
The Springfield Business Improvement District covers 26 blocks in downtown Springfield. As the third largest city in Massachusetts, Springfield serves as the arts, culture, and entertainment hub for the region. Savoie told Reminder Publishing this year’s summer market went so well that organizers didn’t want it to end. With fewer farmers’ markets in the winter, BID leaders thought it would be a great chance to protect farmers and shoppers and bring the products inside for the winter month.
“Since this is the first one for the Indoor Winter Market, we’ll see how this season goes and from there we’ll decide if we’re going to do this every year.,” Savoie said. “If everyone is happy at the end, I think it will definitely be something to look forward to and possibly do again.”
Along with the Winter Market, the district is also hosting a Winter Clothing Drive. BID is looking to collect new or gently used warm winter clothing for men, women and children — including hats, coats and gloves to keep someone warm as the winter draws near. Donation boxes can be found at the Springfield Visitors Center at 1319 Main St., as well as the Winter Market and Harvest Fest.
For more information, go to springfielddowntown.com. Under the “events” tab, click on “Indoor Winter Market,” where there’s an application link for vendors. For questions, email Savoie at samantha@springfielddowntown.com.
Indoor market dates are Nov. 2 and 16; Dec. 7 and 21; Jan. 4 and 18, 2023; Feb. 1 and 15, 2023; March 1 and 15, 2023; and April 5 and 19, 2023.
The BID recommends using street parking or the Tower Square Parking garage. The Tower Square Parking Garage GPS address is 37 Bridge St., Springfield. Attendees can park on B Level and use the elevator labeled “Elevator to Shops” to reach the Street Level.