Year-round market celebrates and supports local businesses
By Abigail Thorpe. Photo Courtesy of Silver Lake Mall.
Article by Coeur d’Alene Living Local.
A local community market is coming to Coeur d’Alene, and it will be available year-round for locals and visitors to explore the vendors and small businesses that make our area unique.
The Silver Lake Mall at 200 West Hanley Avenue in Coeur d’Alene has long been a central gathering spot for the community to shop, mingle and have fun, and now it’s working to give back to the community by offering new experiences and opportunities. The largest enclosed mall in North Idaho, Silver Lake offers popular national stores like Macy’s, JC Penney and JoAnn Fabric and Craft, along with a creative mix of retailers and restaurants that is growing, and now, thanks to the market, becoming even more locally focused.
Opening Saturday, April 3, the Silver Lake Community Market is one of the major first steps in a new mission to support the community and give back by providing new opportunities to support local businesses and vendors and celebrate the communities that make North Idaho special.
Longtime local residents David and Barbara Knoll have operated many local retail operations throughout the area for many years, and they recently added the Silver Lake Mall to this list, purchasing it with a new vision in mind for the community mall. As the market grows, Silver Lake is expecting to welcome and support even more local small businesses, helping to showcase the talent and unique goods local vendors bring to the area, and emphasizing the importance of shopping locally.
“Local businesses create jobs, create opportunities, add value and bring in income that helps our communities thrive,” explains Anne Knoll, the marketing director for Silver Lake Mall.
The market will be open every weekend from 10am to 3pm, featuring a variety of vendors that change from week to week. Customers will have the opportunity to shop everything from handmade candles, signs and clothing to delicious baked goods like fruit pies, pastries, gluten-free options and desserts. “Our market is always filled with an ever-changing and expanding variety of products,” says Knoll.
Vendors, featured products and dates specific vendors will be available at the market along with booth location is all available on the Silver Lake Mall website at SilverLake.center. One of the first year-long markets in the area, Silver Lake will provide opportunities for the community to gather and shop no matter the weather. From September through May, the market will be located inside the Mall to allow for inclement weather, but June through August shoppers can enjoy the outdoors while they browse the various vendors.
As a special feature, each market will also include local nonprofits who want to participate in fundraising opportunities like raffling off items or selling unique goods to help raise money and awareness for their cause. “We want to incorporate the giving spirit into the market,” explains Knoll. “We want to foster support for not only local businesses but the nonprofits that help our area flourish.”
In addition to local clothing, craft and baked goods vendors, the market features some incredible food vendors, and also highlights local entertainment including dance and musical performances. On certain weekends, visitors will have the opportunity for a meet and greet with famous beloved characters like Tinker Bell, Peter Pan and Beauty and the Beast from Dreams are Forever Events.
During the holiday seasons, photo opportunities with the Easter Bunny, Santa and more will be a fun feature for the entire family to enjoy, as the market celebrates various holiday themes throughout the year. “We’re a community-centered organization that wants to enhance opportunities for our friends and neighbors,” adds Knoll.
Silver Lake plans to expand and grow the market over the years, as it continues to evolve and change. “We can’t wait to see where it goes,” says Knoll.
Interested vendors are invited to sign up by visiting SilverLake.center and clicking on the “Market” link to learn more. Silver Lake Mall is practicing safe social distancing and increased cleaning measures to protect the health of visitors and employees, ensuring a fun and safe shopping experience for everyone.
Head out this spring to celebrate the grand opening of the market that will bring smiles and fun all year long.
