CINCINNATI — Rustic Grains owner Sarah Cox said she lost her home and shop to a fire two weeks ago, but it couldn't snuff out her determination to bring Rustic Grains to this year's Greater Cincinnati Holiday Market.
"Our hearts wanted to be at the Holiday Market this year," she said. "We prepped so long and hard for this, and it's just such a special market to us."
Over 500 holiday booths and 350 vendors like Cox have lined the rows in the Duke Energy Convention Center this weekend with stalls decked out in yuletide decorations (and some boughs of holly). The annual Holiday Market aims to draw shoppers from all over the Tri-State by adding 100 vendors this year, according to event organizers.
At the Rustic Grains booth, for example, you can find handcrafted wood gifts and even a rustic "Santa Selfie" station across the way.
"You can visit Santa this weekend and sit on his lap on an old church pew with all kinds of vintage goodness around him," Cox said.
Show director Vicki Hart says there’s plenty to see and buy from local businesses, from home decor to handmade crafts to gifts the whole family will love.
“We also have a wine garden dead center in the middle of the show,” she said. “You can do a couple of aisles, shop, sit down, have a glass of wine, get your strength back, talk about what you bought, and get up and start all over again.”
Hart added "Rudolph's Runners" are at your service during the weekend event to carry your holiday haul.
"They will come out to the booth, get your package, take it to package check for you so you can continue on your way and not lose your place," she said.
The Greater Cincinnati Holiday Market runs Saturday until 7 p.m. for “Girls’ Night Out” and on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are available here.
