Bazaar draws shoppers in search of handmade items

Large turnout to Lacey event despite slower economy

By Rolf Boone | The Olympian • Published November 29, 2008

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LACEY – Thousands of people showed up on one of the busiest shopping days of the year to buy handcrafted gifts at the Lacey Holiday Bazaar, which is at the Marcus Pavilion and Worthington Center at Saint Martin's University.

The free event drew more than 2,000 browsers and shoppers in the first 90 minutes, including 700 people who lined up at the door before it started, said Jeanette Sieler, a recreational supervisor in charge of special events for Lacey Parks & Recreation.

The bazaar, organized by the city and in its 15th year, is expected to draw 8,000 people over a two-day span, she said. The event originally took place on Saturdays and Sundays, but was moved to a Friday-Saturday schedule three years ago, possibly luring more people after their Black Friday shopping is finished, Sieler said.

Sieler said 150 vendors display their goods, and all items for sale have to be handmade. The vendors also have to be approved for the bazaar on the artistry, uniqueness and quality of their products, Sieler said. Two hundred other vendors are on a waiting list to participate in the bazaar, she said.

Inside the pavilion and Worthington Center, people stood shoulder-to-shoulder, inching their way past various vendors while sneaking glances at the items on display.

Some came to shop, while others, such as Kori Wilson of Olympia and her daughter, Lilly, came to browse.

Wilson said it was nice to be able to window-shop without sales pressure.

Vendor Ruth Chopp of Gig Harbor said she has been selling at the bazaar for eight years. Her business, Creative Arts, makes handcrafted wooden Christmas ornaments. Chopp, too, was surprised by the turnout at the bazaar, saying she expected it to be lower because of the slower economy.

Jeanelle Stull of Rochester, selling lotions and soap made from goat's milk, also was surprised by the turnout. Stull said her business, Gingham Goat Country Soap, takes part in two bazaars each year, but she prefers the Lacey Holiday Bazaar because she usually sells out her entire inventory.

Sieler said the bazaar is not geared toward a particular cause but is viewed as a community service, although it does provide a drop box for the Thurston County Food Bank.

Rolf Boone covers business for The Olympian. He can be reached at 360-754-5403 or rboone@theolympian.com.