I visited this amazingly stunning, stately mansion yesterday to attend the seasonal winter artisan…read morecraft market here. I had never visited this building before, but somehow I was getting ads on my Facebook feed about this event, and the winter market, and the building looked so beautiful, I just had to visit.
It did not disappoint.
Right off 16th, just south of the south Granville strip, I had clearly passed this place so many times, yet I had no idea it existed. (For folks fairly new to Vancouver, you'll probably understand, yet every native Vancouverite seems to know about this place!). SO centrally located, yet hidden off the main drag and up a tiny hill. And the building itself is just stunning. I had read somewhere that the building had been featured in many a Hallmark Christmas movie, and once you see the building, it's totally believable. It's like out of a picture book.
Dressed up for the holidays, there are red berry wreaths and sparkling lights and garlands and festive Christmas trees everywhere, seemingly in every room, with fireplaces aglow with lights, and a pianist playing carols, the music wafting in the air to each room. Lady volunteers wander the floors, dressed in red and green plaid dresses and sashes. All these volunteers were extremely friendly and personable to us, from the ladies manning the outdoor tent where you purchase admission tickets and get raffle forms, to the ladies inside, explaining where various vendors and services area.
As for vendors, of course there were way less than the huge seasonal market at Circle Craft at the Convention Center, but there still were quite a few on the two floors of the mansion here, and there was a decent variety in types of items available for purchase, too: from soaps and lotions to gourmet foods (artisan vinegars and oils, amazing shortbread cookies, nuts and chocolates, etc.), to jewelry makers and clothiers, to Vancouver tote bags and stationery and greeting card makers, to homemade ornaments and organic light fixtures, and more. So much more.
I recognized some vendors and artisans from the Circle Craft fair, but there were many artisans that were new to me, too. I'd estimate that 50-70% of the vendors were new to me.
Admission cost $15 for adults. Parking is free (I was lucky to get a spot in the small lot but there was also free street parking). If you are in the market for getting some holiday gifts, or needing to get into the holiday spirit yourself, I really recommend visiting this particular artisan market. The venue is truly magical. I am attaching some photos but honestly, they don't do the building justice.