Maker Union will soon transform its Prospector workshop into a two-day holiday market, opening the space to the community for local shopping, connection and a glimpse into the nonprofit’s work with young adults with disabilities.
Free and open to the public, the event is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 5, from 4 to 8 p.m., and Saturday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Maker Union’s workspace in Suite 104 at 1912 Sidewinder Drive.
“Even if you don’t want to shop, come mingle and meet some of your neighbors,” said Anne Peters, founder and executive director of Maker Union. She said she expects the market to feature about 80% new vendors this year.
“I learned a lot last year about what people were looking for and price points,” she said. “It’s a little more curated this year.”
Peters said the lineup will include about eight or nine local vendors offering everything from food and beverages — including kombucha, granola and locally made olive oil — to jewelry, home goods, crocheted baby items, candles and other handmade products from artisans around the Wasatch Back. Maker Union will also feature its own curated gift boxes and individual items, many of them assembled by the young adults the organization employs.
Maker Union is a nonprofit that employs young adults with disabilities, offering paid work assembling gift boxes, creating products and learning workplace skills such as communicating with supervisors and working alongside peers. The program is designed to provide meaningful employment, build confidence and help participants prepare for jobs in the broader community.
“I have a few of our Maker Union workers who have expressed interest in selling some of the things they make,” Peters said.
She added that it will be the first time that some of the Maker Union workers will have their own booth at the event. This gives them a chance to sell alongside other local vendors and artisans who take part in larger markets like Park Silly.
“It’ll be great exposure (for our makers),” said Peters.
Peters said the market aligns with her focus on inclusivity, designed to be more accessible than traditional holiday fairs — many of which require high booth fees, full-day commitments or large inventories.
Maker Union charges only a small $25 participation fee to help cover refreshments and cleanup, and waives it for participants who may face financial barriers. The goal, she said, is to create space for makers who might not otherwise have the opportunity to sell at similar events, including some of the young adults who work at Maker Union.
The market will take on a slightly different feel each day. Peters said Friday evening will open with a festive holiday atmosphere, with a Christmas tree, music and the workshop arranged for easy mingling and browsing. Visitors can stop in for light refreshments, seasonal treats and beverages as they make their way through.
Saturday will follow a steadier daytime pace with extended hours from last year’s closing.
“We only ran until 2 p.m. last year, and people were still flooding in, so we’re going to keep it up until 4 p.m.,” she said.
Peters said she has been looking for ways to open the doors more often and invite people in regardless of whether they’re shopping, volunteering or simply stopping by. The holidays, she said, felt like a natural opportunity to do that and to show how the space can function as both a workplace and a community hub.
“We have this fantastic space,” she said. “Let’s use it to bring our community together and celebrate.”
More information about the market, Maker Union’s programs and ongoing projects can be found at makerunion.org.