Just one year ago NewBo City Market looked forward to starting a new decade off with a bang. We had big goals as we welcomed the 2020s, which included hosting larger community events and welcoming new local start-up businesses.
Little did we know how fast our goals would change when the pandemic hit. Suddenly, all that mattered was the health of our community and the support of small businesses.
Throughout the year, NewBo City Market has continued to meet each challenge 2020 has presented, all to support our Shopkeepers and our neighborhood.
In the spring, when state mandates and proclamations shut us down, we canceled our upcoming events and shut our doors to foot traffic until we could ensure the health and safety of our patrons, staff and Shopkeepers.
In order to continue supporting our Shopkeepers through this uncertain time we implemented a rent relief program. Market staff also worked to facilitate curbside pickup and partnered with Cedar Ridge Distillery to distribute free hand sanitizer to our community.
In the summer the Market had opened its doors once more and devised unique and innovative ways to bring our community’s favorite events back to life. Events like Rock the Block and Meet Me at the Market returned to the Market Yard in a safe and socially-distant way.
Then, when the derecho devastated our community in August NewBo City Market became the "home base" for several community initiatives, with the help of many volunteers and partnerships with other organizations, like World Central Kitchen.
We reached out to our volunteer network and they helped us assemble more than a thousand flashlights, for those without power, and put together one hundred free meals, with food donated by our Shopkeepers.
In partnership with The Olympic South Side Theater, we also hosted the NewBo Derecho Show, a benefit concert that raised $6,088 for the Catherine McAuley Center.
In the fall, as the “second wave” of the pandemic arrived, we began hosting unique and socially-distant guest vendor markets to further showcase the local small businesses in our community.
As we look toward winter and the new year with cautious optimism, we hope you’ll consider donating and becoming a Friend of the Market. Your donation will help NewBo City Market continue supporting small local businesses, no matter what 2021 has in store.