Anoo Solomon, Mystical Market, August 17, 2023, VOL. 4 ISSUE 26
At the Bowen Road end of Ridge Rd North in Ridgeway, there is a forest. Not just any forest, but The Crystal Forest. A local family-run Crystal and Jewelry boutique that has also hosted a family-friendly outdoor Spring and Fall Mystical Market on the property for the past 3 years.
The concept of The Mystical Market was first born out of discussions Owner Anoo Solomon had been hearing from other small business owners and artists about the struggles they were having. Pandemic lockdowns and closures of their shops, mental health issues and lack of resources as a small business owner being a disabled/neurodivergent/BIPOC and/or 2SLGBTQIA+ artist or business owner, difficulties getting into vendor markets without ample experience or feeling intimidated, and many other topics were common ground.
Anoo sat down with her partner and Co-owner Robert Carroll and sister Manisha Solomon and together they decided to create a safe and inclusive outdoor market space to invite people of all cultures, identities, and ages to celebrate their art and themselves within the community.
Fall 2021 was the first event held during the pandemic, and in following Niagara Public Health spacing requirements for outdoor events between vendor booths, the market only had nine vendors. With marked walkways and standing areas laid out, close to 300 attendees came out to show support. It was a magical day for everyone where the happenings of the world were forgotten for a few hours.
Small business owners across the road, Paul and Ruth Beam of Sunset Soaps and Shop on the Ridge (who had been closed due to Covid-19 regulations) were able to enjoy the opportunity of the market day and continue to set up every year for both markets.
As word spread about the Mystical Markets, more artists and small business owners started reaching out for information on how to apply and also thanked Anoo and Robert for giving them a market they could truly call their own, where they felt included regardless of who they are.
One young local Métis artist from Ridgeway has been with The Mystical Market since she was 15. Jenna Baumanis, Owner of Jenna Maree Jewelry started showcasing her handcrafted Indigenous beaded jewelry and dreamcatchers during The Crystal Forest online Live Sales. She was encouraged by Anoo to have a booth at the next market and has had a booth at every market since.
Kristen Ashenden, Owner of Earth to Soul Emporium, is a major stroke survivor and also a returning vendor at The Mystical Market. Kristen creates stunning handmade crystal bracelets and malas. Kristen brings her team of assistants and maneuvers through the day with a massive smile like a true champion. Don’t forget to stop by her booth in September and say hello!
This past June, the Spring Mystical Market had grown to 27 vendors and saw close to 800 happy attendees. Food vendors sold out and packed up by 1:30 pm, and Brenda, the Tarot reader, had a 3-hour waitlist.
Anoo gathered up all the feedback, sat down, and brainstormed on how to make the 2023 Fall Mystical Market even more amazing for the vendors and the community. This September 16th will see over 30 vendors, with an incredible eclectic blend of intuitive and energy services like Ridgeway has never seen before.
There is also an increased number of food vendors to keep everyone’s bellies full. (Hint hint: does anyone care for Mac n Cheese, vegan AND dairy-licious, or dessert?)
More shopping. More Psychics. More food. Yes, please!
To date, attendees have come from Sarnia, Etobicoke, Quebec, Iroquois Falls, Ottawa, Muskoka, Bowmanville, Oshawa, Owen Sound, London, Buffalo, Pennsylvania, and Illinois specifically for the Mystical Market, and those are just the places that are known! The amount of vendor applications that are submitted has more than quadrupled with a Juried waitlist and the heartbreaking task of turning talented vendors down.
“It is one of the hardest things as an Event Organizer. Our Jury adjudicates to keep the application process unbiased, but as the host, it is important for me to personally email every vendor that applies regardless of their application status. This means I have to tell eager, excited artists that despite their pieces being absolutely stunning, we just physically do not have the room for them at this time until we are able to expand. The sad thing is, for some artists, I can authentically praise their work, but imposter syndrome is a real thing, and they might feel like they weren’t good enough. And that isn’t the case”, says Anoo.
Anoo and Robert are looking to expand into a small street festival with more local businesses over the next few years.
The 2023 Fall Mystical Market is Saturday, September 16, 10 am-5 pm. 1735 Ridge Rd N. Always free admission, rain or shine. Roadside parking along Ridge Rd N and Bridge St.
Anoo and Robert, as The Crystal Forest, sponsor a minimum of three booths each market for those who are facing hardship situations that would otherwise not be able to participate as a vendor or are non-profit and are excited to announce that for the past Spring and upcoming Fall markets, have had Angel Sponsors for additional booths. For anyone wishing to be an Angel Sponsor for a small business vendor booth or tent purchase for Spring or Fall 2024 please email crystalforestinfo@gmail.com for more information. The 2024 Spring Mystical Market will be held on June 8, 2024.
Anoo also mentors small business owners and new artists starting their businesses looking to get into markets and is a mental health advocate as a Trauma Informed Care Counsellor from her previous years in Social Work.
The Crystal Forest is open for in-store shopping by appointment at 1735 Ridge Rd N, Ridgeway. Book your private shopping experience, by phone (289)321-3788, email crystalforestinfo@gmail.com, or Instagram/Facebook @crystalforeststore. Intuitive Sessions and Chakra Alignment are available by appointment. www.thecrystalforest.ca
