The Christmas light canopy at the Merry Market at 100 Kellogg Lane. Photo from @FactoryLDNont on Twitter. The Christmas light canopy at the Merry Market at 100 Kellogg Lane. Photo from @FactoryLDNont on Twitter.
London

Merry Market brings Christmas cheer and chance to shop locally

With Christmas shopping in full swing and festive activities in short supply due to the pandemic, a new holiday market has popped up in London.

The Merry Market flipped the switch on its glimmering lights Thursday at 100 Kellogg Lane. With a 35-foot Christmas tree inside and a Christmas light canopy and ice sculptures outside the market is sure to warm the hearts of Londoners. While the "Instagram-ready" lights and decorations will be a draw themselves, the village is also filled with 40 local vendors offering a range of gift ideas.

"Over the three weekends, the market runs we have close to 90 vendors and more than four food trucks cycling through. All of the vendors involved are local and we really hope over the next three weeks they thrive," said Merry Market Manager Angela Rivard. "With most markets cancelled this year, the vendors are excited to get out and see shoppers again."

Socially conscious apparel company Illbury and Goose, skin care company Purdy Natural, and handmade jewellery brand Hen + Bear are among the vendors that will be in the shopping huts outside and retail kiosks inside. Food trucks that will be on-site include Donut Diva, My Big Fat Food Truck, Pierogi Queen, Rocky Mountain Pizza, and Tikka Tomato. Powerhouse Brewing Co. will also be open with its regular menu.

The Merry Market will give visitors a sense of normalcy in a year that has been anything but. However, several protocols have been put in place to protect against COVID-19.

"We have been engaging with the Middlesex London Health Unit throughout the whole process and they have been really great in guiding us in what we can and can't do," said Rivard. "We are taking temperatures at both entry points and we're asking all the questions you get when entering a market or restaurant."

In addition to that, visitors will be encouraged to maintain physical distance and the market hours have been extended to prevent long lineups.

"We all need a bit of magic in our lives right now and we are hoping to create that while keeping everyone safe," Rivard added.

The market is open Thursdays and Fridays from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for the next three weeks. It is free to attend, however, donations are being accepted throughout. The first week, visitors are asked to bring a box of their favourite Kellogg's cereal for the London Food Bank. In the second week, new toys and gift cards for tots to teens are being collected. In the third week, personal hygiene product donations are encouraged.

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