December 5, 2016
Next Pittsburgh
by Jenniffer Baron
All photos courtesy of the Homewood Holiday Market
Shipping containers have popped up in all sorts of innovative places—from residential projects and temporary swimming holes to an open-air shopping center in downtown Las Vegas.
This month, the creative reuse phenomenon is the inspiration for a new shopping destination that is now open to the public in Homewood.
Transforming four repurposed shipping containers into vendor spaces for local artists, designers, boutiques and businesses, the Homewood Holiday Market runs through Friday, December 30 at the corner of Frankstown Avenue and Oakwood Street.
The project is the brainchild of Christian Hughes and Dana Carter Lance, of Nside Out Spaces, a design-build company that manufactures versatile multipurpose outdoor spaces by upcycling shipping containers.
Visitors can shop for everything from jewelry, stationery and apparel, to artwork, knitted wares and candles. Food, beverage and health and wellness purveyors are also be featured, including Indulge Catering, Wine and Words Pittsburgh, 7Senses Catering, and Mangos Coconuts.
Keeping things fresh and festive, the market will host rotating themes each day of the week, including “Hot Chocolate Thursdays” (think: hot cocoa paired with holiday sweets) and “Friday Night Lights” featuring live DJs and entertainment.
The market’s “Saturdays with Santa” events invite families to bring the kids, participate in hands-on holiday crafts, and take pictures with St. Nick from 1 to 4 p.m.
Additional events include a pop-up poetry event on December 8, and a mixer hosted by the Pittsburgh Black Media Federation on December 29. Throughout the month, the market will also host networking events and Kwanzaa-themed activities.
An important catalyst for boosting the Homewood business district and Homewood-based small businesses, the market is also a way to inspire outdoor family and community engagement during the holidays.
Hours are Thursdays and Fridays from 2 to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from Noon to 5 pm.
Learn more at the market’s Facebook page.