No vendor fee for teenagers with businesses at Illinois Local Holiday Market on Small Business Saturday

Young entrepreneurs can participate for free in the third annual Illinois Local Holiday Market on Small Business Saturday.

The market is on Saturday, November 25, from 9 am to 4 pm in the Exposition Building at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield. 

Illinois Local is a membership of 200-plus businesses and causes across the state launched in December 2020 by Chris and Gemma Long. 

“There will be no vendor fee for teenagers with small businesses at our third annual Holiday Market on Small Business Saturday,” said Gemma. 

“We are expecting thousands of visitors to the market. It is a great opportunity for those teens with small businesses to increase their audience, get a head-start on holiday sales, and meet and learn from fellow entrepreneurs.” 

In addition to vendors, the market will have Santa, Bluey, gift wrapping, excerpts of The Nutcracker ballet by Springfield Youth Performance Group, salsa dancing, and an American Business Club Amtryke giveaway. 

Anna Su, 15, of Thread Dreams, participated in the Illinois Local Holiday Market in 2022. She will return with her crochet items this year. “I am so grateful for the opportunity provided for my small business. These markets are useful in helping me reach a wider audience and allow me to connect with people in person. I highly recommend fellow teen business owners take this chance to grow.” 

This is what it is all about said Chris. “We want young people to experience entrepreneurship in a supportive environment and make it affordable. We hope to see them back year after year.”  

Teenagers interested in being a vendor at the Illinois Local Holiday Market should email gemma@illinoislocal.org. 

Registration will remain open until the middle of November. Illinois Local members pay $50 to participate, and nonmembers $175. Entry to the Holiday Market is $3 for 13 and over. 

For more information, visit illinoislocal.org.