Patricia Buxton, a candlemaker, was recently invited to sell her products at D.C.’s annual Downtown Holiday Market, a well-known outdoor event that has previously attracted Vice President Harris as a patron. Shortly after receiving the invitation from the market manager, Buxton was surprised to receive a second invitation from a company she was unfamiliar with, causing her to question the legitimacy of the offer.
Unbeknownst to Buxton and other vendors, the management of the market had become embroiled in a dispute between its long-standing operator, Diverse Markets Management, and the DowntownDC Business Improvement District, the non-profit organization that co-produces the event. This conflict has left vendors feeling caught in the middle, with Buxton expressing confusion over the situation.
The Downtown Holiday Market typically takes place from mid-November to just before Christmas, attracting thousands of shoppers to F Street NW outside the National Portrait Gallery and the Smithsonian American Art Museum. The market features a variety of vendors selling everything from art to crafts to antique maps. The market’s significance as a regional attraction has grown in recent years as downtown Washington, D.C. works to recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Diverse Markets Management, a local company that has managed the market since its inception in 2005, lost a competition this year to oversee the festival to the Makers Show, a company known for organizing markets in Boston and Brooklyn. Despite this, Michael Berman, president of Diverse Markets Management, is refusing to give up control of the market, citing ongoing efforts to secure permits and contact vendors.
The decision to change management was made by DowntownDC BID due to concerns about the declining quality of the market, according to Gerren Price, the organization’s president. The BID selected the Makers Show for its plans to expand the market and offer reduced booth rental costs, aiming to enhance the overall market experience.
Berman has expressed frustration over the decision to replace his company, questioning why a company from outside the area was chosen over his D.C.-based business. He emphasized the value he has brought to the market over the years and the impact on his employees.
The situation has left vendors like Buxton and Doug Abbey, who have participated in the market for years, uncertain about the future. Despite the potential for change, both vendors are seeking clarity on who will ultimately manage the market and how it will impact their participation.
As the holiday season approaches, vendors like Buxton and Abbey are navigating the uncertainty surrounding the market’s management, hoping for a resolution that will allow them to continue showcasing their products and serving customers during this important time of year.