Since opening its doors, West Side Bazaar has provided a launch pad for numerous refugees to start their own businesses in a small, safe, controlled, communal learning environment. After years of talking about launching a street-style market on the city's West Side, the formation of the bazaar has been a sort of pilot program that has proved that not only will the neighborhood support the concept, but that the incubator has the ability to nurture entrepreneurs so that they can stand on their own two feet.
See Louise Sano at the Bazaar in March of 2012
See Louise Sano in her new store, Global Villages, in July of 2012
It's working - the West Side Bazaar is working, and now the incubator is looking to grow into a new and larger selling environment (yet to be announced). As the move is scheduled to take place before the holiday season, there is a sudden push to find additional vendors (not just refugees) who are hoping to join in on the success of West Side Bazaar.
Per usual, the bazaar is offering all of the same start-up tools that others have taken advantage of in order to launch small businesses. Whether you're thinking about importing and selling goods, creating and selling goods, or maybe you've got a food concept that you've been thinking about launching but aren't ready to buy into a stand-alone brick and mortar. If that's the case, then there's no harm in reaching out to the folks running the bazaar to see if you and your concept might be a good fit.
Contact Mary Joy Buscemi at 716-603-6630 or Ben Bissell at 315-857-5407 to learn more.
great news.....new culture and products to liven up the area.....Now we have to get rid of the past 8:00 crowd scaring the heck out of everyone...
The Thought that From Delaware West to the water could and should be a thriving mix of cultures, shops, ethnicities, organizations etc....is amazing to think about...But it is always crushed by a gang killing or a beating, shooting, etc........
With all of the new immigrants, Asian,African, Middle eastern etc....The belief that this area can bring a real sense of belonging and community again...It happened before, why cant it happen now....
My hope that in 10 years West of Richmond is covered in new immigrants, small businesses, people who enjoy the area and want to grow their instead of tear it down with violence and drugs........