DES MOINES, Iowa —
The holiday season got an early start in Des Moines this weekend as the ninth annual Des Moines Holiday Boutique filled the EMC Expo Center with festive finds, local businesses and plenty of Christmas spirit.
From clothing and coffee to handmade gifts and soaps, vendors from across the region gathered for the three-day event, offering shoppers a chance to find something for everyone while supporting small businesses.
The boutique featured more than 200 small businesses, bringing together longtime vendors and entrepreneurs making their debut.
“It’s just a really good feeling pre-holiday event. I love it,” said the owner of Pink Hummingbird, Jennifer Freking.
For many vendors, the event is about more than making sales. It’s an opportunity to connect with the community and build relationships with fellow business owners and customers.
“It’s amazing that they choose small vendors and that people are willing to come support small business rather than doing all their Christmas shopping elsewhere,” Jocelyn Gamez, Owner of Piel Canela Coffee, said. “They don’t only support just the business; they support the person behind it and all that hard work. So that just means everything to us.”
For some, the Holiday Boutique has become an annual tradition.
“Five years later, here I am. Just followed my dream,” Freking said.
For others, this year’s event marked the beginning of what they hope will become a lasting tradition.
“We would love to be here many more years,” Gamez said.
While the products and holiday shopping draw people through the doors, vendors say the connections made throughout the weekend are what keep them coming back.
“It really is about local community,” Freking said. “There are so many of us I’ve met over the years just from coming here. We all want to communicate with other people and have these great relationships and sell our business and build our business.”
And adults weren’t the only entrepreneurs showcasing their work at the Expo Center. Young business owners also spent the weekend sharing their products and entrepreneurial spirit.
One young vendor said she enjoys telling her friends about her business and hopes to one day see her products in a store.
Two brothers showcased their beeswax candles and other handmade products like wallets and keychains. Their message to other young kids who want to start a small business: “You can do it if you put your mind to it.”