The Saturday after Thanksgiving, Elena Rodriguez sold out of her handmade ceramic mugs in four hours. Last weekend, at the opening of the Coastal Winter Market, she sold out in two.
The market, now in its 11th year, opened last weekend to its largest opening-day crowd on record, an estimated 4,800 visitors.
THE TUNNEL OF LIGHTS
The "Tunnel of Lights" is a 200-foot covered walkway connecting the market's main entrance to the harbor promenade, lined with approximately 18,000 twinkling LEDs that synchronize to a rotating playlist of instrumental music every hour.
"I designed it to feel like being inside a piece of music," said lighting designer Jonah Ferreira. "People seem to be stopping and standing still in it, which is what I hoped for."
THE ARTISANS AND THE FOOD
Fifty artisans occupy the wooden chalets. All vendors must produce their goods within Port Laken city limits, or for food vendors, within 50 miles. The food vendor section has expanded to 12 stalls.
The market runs every Friday evening (5–9 PM) and Saturday–Sunday (11 AM–9 PM) through February 23. Admission is free.