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Here's How Not to Get "Mall'd" This Holiday Season

If you’re looking for an alternative to Black Friday shopping madness, we might have found just what you’re looking for. It’s called the Esperanza Peace Market.

“It is a two-day market, styled under the traditional open-air markets that you see around the world.”

Itza Carbahal is with Esperanza.

“We have over a 100 vendors, and that includes both local and international vendors.”

The art is completely handmade and covers a wide variety of items.

“From paintings to crafts to knitted and woven carpets. It’s basically an immersion into the art of the world.“

Esperanza’s got a different take on holiday shopping.

“Instead of having people go the traditional, corporate, big mall, long line route, you go and shop, not just local but global; but also paying fair trade prices, and also creating a connection with the person that made your product, versus just going to a mall.”

She said there’s music, there’s food, but there’s also a strong sense of community.

“It goes beyond just the shopping experience. We want to offer an opportunity for the community to come and gather together with art, music, delicious food, and the experience of being among people, and not just at a mall.”

We’ve more on the free event here.

Jack Morgan can be reached at jack@tpr.org and on Twitter at @JackMorganii