Massive Modesto holiday event previously canceled will go on after all. Here’s when, where
It’s the season of joy and thanksgiving, a fitting time for a pair of Modesto organizations to join and save one of the city’s most popular Christmastime events from cancellation.
The organizers of Mod Shop Handmade Market announced earlier this year that they no longer would be holding the huge craft fair.
Held since 2015 (aside from a pandemic pause) in downtown, Mod Shop quickly became a huge draw for holiday shoppers on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
Now, the Modesto Downtown Improvement District and Downtown Modesto Partnership will be the new producers of Mod Shop, according to a press release.
Community members Tricia Rosenow, Ruhi Sheikh and Kate Trompetter had organized Mod Shop from its beginning. “But a few weeks ago, the trio decided to pass the torch to the DID and DoMo Partnership,” the release said. “Since then, staffs of both organizations have been working nonstop ... to pull off a fun event for shoppers and diners.”
That means the community can look forward to Mod Shop returning Nov. 25 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., still in downtown Modesto.
“The downtown organizations are thrilled that (the) original Mod Shop producers have entrusted us with this beloved community event,” Heidi Savage, executive director of the Downtown Improvement District and interim CEO of the Downtown Modesto Partnership, said in the release. “It’s a terrific opportunity for locals to jumpstart their holiday shopping and support small businesses at the same time.”
The Saturday after Thanksgiving is known as Small Business Saturday, a counterpoint to Black Friday, when large retailers get massive shopper attention.
Many participating downtown shops and restaurants will be open, offering specials and discounts for customers during Mod Shop, according to the release. There also will be plenty of vendors with their handmade wares set up in different businesses and venues, along with live music throughout the event.
“Handmade goods have always been an integral part of Mod Shop,” Savage said. “But since it occurs on Small Business Saturday, we will also celebrate the contributions of small businesses in our community by highlighting and supporting downtown shops and restaurants.”
There also will be a drawing of $100 each for three winners. Shoppers can get passports at any boutique and have them stamped at participating retailers, the release said. Anyone who gets six passport stamps can enter.
There are more than 20 brick-and mortar retailers in downtown, according to the release, which include sellers of clothes, home decor, furniture, handcrafted jewelry and gifts.
“DID and DoMo Partnership have a shared mission to improve downtown and the experiences you have in it, so keeping Mod Shop going in a way that supports downtown businesses made perfect sense to us,” Stephanie Foster, director of district identity for the Downtown Modesto Partnership, said in the release. “We’re entering a new downtown era with Mod Shop’s invitation and blessing, while keeping its creative and unique spirit the community has grown to know and love.”
For more on Mod Shop, see downtown-modesto.com/mod-shop.
