SWK: The Shopping Jewel

Shopping with Ken began when I was a young man in my early to mid 50’s freelancing for the Times Indicator. T-Iers Deb and Rich started the first area Shop Local movement by sending me out to local establishments to sample the shopping experiences then reporting ( actually kind of rambling) on them and it traveled with me to N3.  It was and has been fun, but if my memory serves (always a bit iffy) the very first spot we targeted that inaugural year was the NCCA Artsplace Holiday Artists Market.

It remains an all time favorite.
Why?
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This is shop-local at it’s very roots with items not only sold locally but created locally. Painters , potters, printers, makers of fine things, authors and more of the creative collective who reside in our region  bring their items of distinction to the downtown Fremont center of artistic expression known as the Artsplace where the Holiday Artists Market springs to life each season.

Over 100 artisans are represented by their works and the variety of items available will fulfill your gifting needs from stocking stuffers to primary presents.

The crew at NCCA Artsplace are highly helpful and excellent wrappers which comes in handy when your ability to finish off  gifts in a somewhat tidy fashion is limited to tossing the item in a gift bag with a sheet of tissue paper.

It’s a feel good place with an airy atmosphere and as a bonus you can give your giftee a certificate to one of their myriad of classes allowing your gift to keep on giving beyond the holiday.
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 Fair warning. When you go, give yourself more than a smidge or two of time because this is a browser’s treasure trove and will require some serious perusal.

And again, when you go tell them Ken sent you and be assured you will be welcomed with the words... 
‘Ken who?’

https://www.nearnorthnow.com/features-and-fun/ncca-artsplace-holiday-artist-market-opens-november-16