SPRINGFIELD – Mikki Lessard and Nancy Feth said the  Holiday Market at 1341 Main St. is more than just another seasonal gift shop.

The shop is “a solution to the retail challenges through collaboration,” Feth explained to Reminder Publications.

The shop officialty opened with a ribbon cutting with Mayor Domenic Sarno on Nov. 30.

Chris Russell, executive director of the Springfield Business Improvement  (BID) District explained the seasonal  market started three years ago and said the BID is the primary sponsor of the project.

Between the businesses collaborating in the Holiday Market as well as the permanent businesses that are part of the Marketplace retail area, there are about 40 retailers represented, Lessard said.

Among those businesses are Jackson & Connor, Luxe Boutique, Kate Gray, Mountain to Seas Knits and Pops Biscotti, Frigo’s and Northampton Oil Company. Lessard said there are several new businesses including JM Homelife and Dharma Yoga.

Lessard and Feth could not be specific at this time but said there may be two more shops opening in the Marketplace in the first quarter of next year.

Both women said the retailers involved in the Holiday Market embrace the idea of pop-up markets.

The market will run through Dec. 22 and is located at 1341 Main Street. The hours are Tuesday through Friday from 11a.m. - 6 pm. and Saturday from 10 a.m. - 2 pm. On Dec. 9 and 16 the market will be open until 7 p.m.  

There will be a number of special events at the market, which so far have included the White Lion Wednesday Winter Pub crawl on Dec. 6 and the T-birds Tailgate Holiday Party on Dec. 9. For more details go to www.springfielddowntown.com and or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/springfielddowntown.