The Hamilton Day BIPOC Market supported small businesses

The BIPOC Market celebrated diversity in Hamilton and helped attendees get started on their early holiday shopping 

The annual Hamilton Day BIPOC Market came back on Nov. 4 at CoMotion on King from 10 a.m. to 4p.m. There was a local DJ, MOJ, in addition to 14 vendors, including Stone and Shadow, Ashantae Scented Soy Candles, Henna Script, Lydie Customs and Travelling Feet Books. This market was in collaboration with Momoco Donuts, Chillis & Chimneys and Recess Photo Studio who had special promos for the market. 

Black Owned Hamont has been doing markets since 2021, and they host around 10 every year throughout Hamilton, Niagara and Grimsby. In 2022, they hosted their first Hamilton Day BIPOC Market on James St. N. This year, they’re shaking things up with a new DJ and five new vendors.  

Hamilton Day is all about celebrating Hamilton and supporting local businesses, making it a great way to kick off the holiday shopping season. Black Owned Hamont hopes their BIPOC Market will highlight people from marginalized communities because the spotlight isn't always on them. Through their markets, they provide a space to bring BIPOC-owned small businesses to the forefront. 

“This is going to be a very busy shopping season. So. . . [everyone should] just do a little bit of research to see if there's an alternative by someone who has made it here locally, [which] I think is a better choice, and sometimes the prices are comparable,” said Alexandria Montague, one of the co-founders of Black Owned Hamont. 

Black Owned Hamont hopes that attendees will realize that Hamilton is diverse and has a lot to offer. They also hope that their vendors will feel supported by the community. 

“We're here to support our vendors and bring them to the market. So not only to sell, but also [to get them] customers, sometimes it's a follow on Instagram, and then the customer will go back to them and get a service or good,” said Montague. 

They hope their market will bring the Hamilton community together and emphasize that the city itself is shared common ground between all Hamiltonians.  

Stay tuned for their next market at Market Square in St. Catherine’s on Nov. 26, which will feature over 40 vendors and will be their last market of the year.