CHICAGO (WLS) — The holidays got off to an early start Saturday The Center on Halsted hosted it’s first ever holiday market.
It features dozens of local vendors with specialty items to help shoppers find the perfect gift.
ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch
The indoor market located inside the Center on Halsted features over 40 vendors.
‘We are shooting for the smaller folks and the people that are making some of their stuff which is fantastic,” said Katie Lorenz with the Center on Halsted Auxiliary Board. “We’ve got candle makers, a ton of jewelry. We’ve got some ginger beer And some other people who are doing amazing types of food, so olive oil, hot sauces.”
The market provides a place where people can kick off their holiday shopping and also indulge in tasty treats.
The event is also a fundraiser for the Center on Halsted, which provides much needed services to 19,000 people each year. Their goal is to raise $20,000.
“The Center on Halsted has been around for a while and it has focused on community programming and social services and that can include HIV, and STI screening available here,” said Matthew Houston with the Center on Halsted Auxiliary Board. “We have programming for career development for individuals, we have housing services, and opportunities for senior living.”
Among the vendors Saturday was local candlemaker Bill Salvaron, who says the Center of Halsted has been an important resource to him, and now he is paying it forward.
“The Center of Halsted when I came to Chicago 13 years ago really helped me get on my feet,” Salvaron said. “I moved here from Las Vegas, and it was important for us to give back now that we can.”
They are spreading holiday cheer while also supporting a cause.
“We thought this would be a wonderful opportunity to get some vendors and support the center on Halsted and just slay the holiday season,” Houston said.
Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.