By Jennifer Kabbaby
A swath of Main Street in downtown Vista came alive Sunday with the Christmas spirit as about a dozen craft vendors set up shop for the first of three Holiday Gift Market events.
The merchants — all local, small business owners — offered a variety of homemade gifts, including candles, jewelry, decor, Christmas chocolates, artwork and ornaments. Also on tap were custom signs, macramé, wreaths, and do-it-yourself ornaments and hot chocolate kits.
Two more Holiday Gift Market events are slated for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Dec. 6 and Dec. 13.
The market was the brainchild of two female small business owners along Main Street, Christine Alvarado of Moonry Collective and Natalie Trevino of Twice on Main St. The women wanted to offer residents a chance to find unique, creative gifts and stocking stuffers while also supporting small businesses and enjoying all that downtown Vista has to offer, Alvarado said.
The craft vendors’ tents peppered the sidewalks along Main Street, allowing visitors to poke around both the thoroughfare’s shops and the unique pop-up booths while also offering plenty of social distancing.
“The idea is shop the stores, shop the market, have a beer or grab some grub,” Alvarado said. “Make a day of it.”
Also on tap for Main Street is a “Downtown Vista Holiday Cookie Crawl.” That event is set for Saturday, Dec. 12, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Shops and boutiques along the road will offer cookies, hot chocolate, coffee and holiday cheer. The event is organized by Urban Barn, and other participating businesses include: Re-Find Off Main, Tin Gypsy Decor, Metaphor Boutique, Seven Skin & Beauty, Hellbent for Hair, Moonry Collective and Twice on Main St.
