PHILIPSBURG, Pa. (WJAC) — Local artisans and business owners were given the chance to move some merchandise before the end of the busy holiday shopping season. Thieves Market in Philipsburg held its annual Pop-Up Shop on Saturday.
It may be too late to order presents online in time for Christmas because of supply chain issues. But one way to beat that: shop local.
"Goat milk soap, if you haven't ever tried it, is excellent for dry skin," Nancy Calvario, the owner of Nanny Goat Soap, told 6 News.
"I could actually probably use that," 6 News' Douglas Braff joked.
In its tenth year, the Thieves Market Pop-Up Shop is running silky smooth. Local craft vendors, like Calvario, get to set up shop and clear out their holiday inventory.
For Calvario, to sell soap that heals dry skin, it takes one to know one.
"I got into it because of someone who recommended goat milk soap for dry skin, which I was suffering from," Calvario said. "And, within three weeks, it was totally cleared up."
She told 6 News it was a hobby that she turned into a small business, which she runs in part to supplement her retirement.
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Calvario said business was "great" on Saturday.
"I was concerned about being so close to Christmas, that people were done with Christmas shopping, but there's a lot of last-minute shoppers showing up," she said.
Jennifer Blaschak of Card Zen By Jen also helped customers get those last-minute items.
"So, I make Christmas cards, anniversary, birthday, sympathy, 'get well' — all of those cards," she told 6 News. "I make them by hand."
"I was here two weeks ago, and business was amazing, and a lot of my inventory was depleted at that point," Blaschak added. "But it's a good problem to have!"
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She has made cards for about a year and a half, starting during the pandemic because of Mother's Day 2020.
"I realized that people were going out and buying...greeting cards at their local grocery store, where the card may have been touched by 50 different people," Blaschak said. "And I felt that it was necessary to be able to provide a card where it was only touched by one person, and that was me."
She says her cards are personal, and go a long way as gifts.
"Nobody ever sticks a text message on their mantel or on their counter, or on the front of their fridge. So, be sure to pick out something personal and send [it] to them," Blaschak said.
This was their first year at the Thieves Market Pop-Up Shop, and they were thankful for the opportunity.
"I think we're gonna be a permanent home here," Calvario said.
"But I hope to do it from here on out," Blaschak said.
The Small Business Administration says that for every $100 spent at a local business, $68 stays in that town. That's compared to $43 for a national chain.
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