SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — A crafted handmade marketplace has opened underground in Armory Square on South Salina St. The marketplace is located directly underneath the store Wildflower in the McCarthy Mercantile building.
Owner and artist of Wildflower, Michael John Hagerty, established this indie, homemade market experience so local artist have a place to display, perform and sell their artwork.
“We have, over the last 18 months or so, worked on the lower level of the McCarthy building, where Wildflower is located, to have an underground independent shopping experience,” Hagerty said. “It used to be a post-apocalyptic basement down here, and we have renovated it into a big industrial event space with independent shops around the rim of it.”
Every weekend, from now until Christmas the underground space will host pop-up vendors and live music from local musicians.
The weekly event, Crafted Underground, was designed to be a safe and fun shopping experience. The market requires all patrons to wear a mask, and the space has a maximum capacity of 50 people at a time. All vendors are separated more than six feet apart, and the underground space is large enough for all guest to be socially distant.
The establishment of Crafted Underground was in response to COVID-19. Hagerty sympathized with local artists whose livelihood depends on their art. Due to the pandemic, many markets and events that artists rely on to sell their work were cancelled. So, Hagerty came up with the idea of a handmade underground creative space.
“So, it’s a nice opportunity for all the artisans who lost their weekend gigs because of the pandemic…these vendors are like weekend warriors,” Hagerty said. “They go out, travel and set up and sell all day on a Saturday. It’s their livelihood to sell on the weekends. So, we thought crafter would be a cool way to have people come down, relax and enjoy this space. Give them an opportunity to sell again.”
Local hairstylist and artist Ashley Rewakowski was out of work for months due to the pandemic. While in quarantine, she picked up art as a hobby, which she then depended on for her monthly income. However, her sales through social media were not enough for her to make ends meet.
Rewakowski said Crafted Underground has given her the opportunity to display and profit off her artwork.
“It’s a great way for local artist to really represent themselves and get exposure,” Rewakowski explained.
If you are a local artist and want the opportunity to display and sell your artwork at the Crafted Underground Series, fill out a free application, and Hagerty will contact you directly.
For more information, check out wildflowersyrarmory.com or email wildflowersyr@gmail.com. Instagram: @wildflowers_SYR
