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Kim Tanner is the type of person who likes to do her Christmas shopping early. 

But last year, she decided to do it a bit differently. Noticing that many of her south Minneapolis neighbors were crafters, builders and bakers, she decided to ask them for help — sort of. She started a thread on the neighborhood social media site Nextdoor asking them what they make and sell.

"I thought it would be nice to buy something for someone that one of my neighbors made," she said. 

She added: "And also with the holidays coming up, I thought, 'maybe somebody makes pumpkin bread,' and I'm too lazy to make my own." 

She expected to get a handful of responses. Instead, she got about 100. 

"Everybody was just chiming in with what they make, including pictures, links to their Etsy store or Facebook pages," Tanner said. "I was just blown away by the response. I couldn't believe how many people made stuff." 

People & Places

Soon, people started messaging each other on the thread, trying to set up times when they could get together to buy stuff from one another. One person, Wendy Smith, mentioned that she had a small studio in south Minneapolis that could be used as a place where people could meet to sell stuff. 

Tanner thought that was an "amazing idea." 

So she met with Smith and over the course of a few hours, NeighborZaar was born: A bazaar for neighbors, by neighbors. 

"We really tried to make it more of a meet-your-neighbor type event, in addition to supporting your neighbor who makes things," Tanner said.

The first event was held in November last year, featuring about 10 vendors, selling everything from knitted items to home decor to tarot readings. Though people were excited about the event, organizers weren't entirely sure what to expect. 

They didn't need to worry, though. A couple hundred people came through. 

"We had to start telling people 'you'll have to come to the next one,'" Tanner said. "We knew we had to do this again and again and again because there are so many people that want to do this." 

Since that first event, there have been two more. A fourth is 

 at Corcoran Neighborhood Organization. The event is open to the public, not just those who live in south Minneapolis. 


Each event has brought in a handful of new vendors along with some returning ones.

Susan Lynx is one of those repeat vendors. She does tarot card readings. Though she's showcased in other local events, she found NeighborZaar to be much more welcoming because of its focus on being neighborly. 

"Customers were looking to get to know neighbors as well as vendors. Instead of just approaching you as just, you're selling something, and how can I get the best deal, it was sort of 'who are you, what do you do, how did you get into this?'" she said. "It was just a more holistic interaction rather than simple transaction." 

Jen Curtis and her daughter Mandy also found it to be a nice way to meet more people in their new neighborhood. They moved to the area from Blaine about a year ago. Jen Curtis knits baby socks, washcloths, scarves and more, while Mandy makes soaps and paintings. 

"When you're meeting the people themselves, it's fun to know the story behind them," Jen Curtis said. "And even when we're giving gifts and when I've bought gifts from local people as well, it's fun to be able to say you know the person that does this, or I got to chat with them. It's just more fun." 

 Corcoran Neighborhood Organization, 3451 Cedar Ave. S., Minneapolis

Lifestyle

Nancy Yang

Author

The shopping event is an opportunity for people in south Minneapolis to not only to meet their neighbors, but also support them by buying the things they make.

NeighborZaar is a bazaar for neighbors, by neighbors. 

'Shop local' takes on a new meaning at NeighborZaar

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