Black vendors shine at this year’s Snowport Marketplace
From hot sauce to hair products, there’s something for everyone
With over a million visitors each season, Boston’s holiday shopping destination, the Snowport is a tradition for many. Vendors taking part in the almost two-month-long market return year after for a chance to reach as many people as possible and spend time in community with fellow entrepreneurs. For the Snowport’ s vendors of color, that community is that much more important. Here’s a sneak peak at some of the Black vendors you’ll see there this year.
Rooting For You
This plant shop wants to help you grow as a person.
Owner: Peggy Enayo
“Rooting For You is a plant and wellness boutique, where we try to carry different varieties, not only based on the quality of the plant, but also by what it symbolizes. The concept originated based on my journey dealing with an anxiety disorder.”
What makes the Snowport so special?
It’s very encouraging to see people out enjoying themselves again, despite the cold. They are just stopping by to see what everyone has to offer. I would say that I love being here because it gives smaller, new businesses like mine an opportunity to be in a very high foot traffic area a lot sooner than most smaller businesses typically would.”
What keeps you coming back as a vendor?
“The variety of vendors bringing that mix of diversity, even in their product, definitely enhances the experience for buyers. They don’t feel like they’re going from shop to shop having the same exact experience. What draws people in is that one stall is unique from the one next to it. I think that plays into the idea of the different communities here. It all helps enhance the experience.”
Vegan sweet treats await at Clarke’s Cakes and Cookies. PHOTO: CLARKE’S CAKES AND COOKIES
Clarke’s Cake and Cookies
A small vegan bakery with big flavors
Owner: Karen Clarke
“We are a local wholesale woman-owned, family-supported, vegan bakery. We bake everything that you’ve come to know and love without sacrificing the taste or the texture because it’s vegan.”
What makes the Snowport so special?
“It’s a good community. We’re looking out for one another. We get to know one another, especially as our neighbors next door to us. When I first started, there was a man who offered advice about making hot cocoa. He made hot cocoa but didn’t have a non-dairy option. He offered that idea to me. That should tell you that he doesn’t feel like there’s some type of threat from me. I use him as an example to try and match that willingness to help.”
What keeps you coming back as a vendor?
“You get a lot of visibility. People start recognizing you. You’re increasing your demographics and getting a new crowd. I’m even getting international crowds. I’ve had people take my product England. That was a new one. That happened last year. I’m hoping that it happens again this year. When I heard had that person say, I’ve just gave your cookies to my grandmother over here in England. And I was like, oh my goodness, she loved them. And I said, oh my gosh, my cookies. Somebody in England loves my cookies. It’s not like someone in Canada.”
Hillside Harvest
This Caribbean condiment company bring island flavor to the table
Owner: Kamaal Jarrett
Hillside Harvest was launched was the brainchild of me going to the supermarkets after work and wanting to cook for myself, wanting to have a little bit of home. I grew up in a Jamaican household, and, living in South Boston at the time, whether going to Whole Foods or Stop and Shop, my options were limited.I wanted to create a brand that could not just speak to folks from the Caribbean, but speak to everybody and share the beauty and deliciousness of Caribbean products.”
What makes the Snowport so special?
“From a shopper’s perspective, it’s definitely attractive, because you know you have from November 8 to the end of December to go and visit. So you may be able to go multiple times, go with your friends, go with your family or go by yourself to get your holiday gifts. The length of time and the fact that it’s open air, akin to a European market, is pretty unique.”
What keeps you coming back as a vendor?
“For us, especially because we focus so heavily on grocery and retail, it’s very important for us to do tastings, right? Especially because we’re in such a challenging and competitive space, brand recognition, brand awareness is is the name of the game. We see it as a marketing opportunity to get in front of hundreds of potential customers, even customers that may be in different parts of the region or different parts of the country, where we also have retail exposure. It helps to build a brand. And that’s really our goal, is to be a national brand. So we look at this as more of a marketing opportunity, really an opportunity to get that initial trial, which is so hard for most food businesses.”
Beautiful Amore
Natural products to care for your skin
Owner: Amerrah Brown
“Beautiful Amore skincare was founded. I’ve been making products for about 22 years. I started back in high school, where I learned culinary arts. I learned about cooking and then cosmetology, and I didn’t realize my love was going to be skincare. My mom taught me about the healing aspects of the natural products and ingredients she used to cook with. They also served as medicine to heal your body naturally. In my 20s, I developed eczema, and I referred back to what she taught me about the natural earth and I developed a cream. And with that cream, it helped heal my eczema.”
What makes the Snowport so special?
“One of the interesting things about being at the Snowport and just having a business there is being showcased to the community. I look at my online orders throughout the year, only over 80% of my online orders are from people in Boston and the Massachusetts area. I’m just appreciative for the amount of people that I’ve been able to help throughout this time that I’ve been showcasing in Boston, but every year it’s just gotten better and better.”
What keeps you coming back as a vendor?
“It has been such an amazing experience, a joy to return to Snowport every year. I’ve met so many people. I’ve helped so many people. We’ve gotten so much great feedback and responses from a lot of the locals there, especially,those who suffer from certain ailments that they literally now swear by our product, and they come to the market in search of US every year.”
I Love Boston Sports features authentic, quality Boston sports memorabilia and apparel. COURTESY PHOTO
For more black vendors in the Snowport, check out:
- I LOVE BOSTON SPORTS
- Gp Organics Soulcare
- Equals Me
- ZaZ Restaurant
- Bocadillos
- Kenya Meets USA
- African Authentics
- Just Stars
