SCRANTON -- The inside of the former Bon-Ton department store in The Mall at Steamtown has been transformed into a holiday marketplace.
The annual ScrantonMade Holiday Market kicked off inside the mall Friday, drawing hundreds of people. The market is a two-day event featuring a hundred different vendors, selling everything from soap to cupcakes to ornaments and more.
"It's kind of cool to be shopping in a mall, you know, like have a market within a market type thing,” said Greg Heller of The Colony Meadery.
"It's nice that they're doing some new things in the mall space as well and we're glad to be part of it,” agreed Mike Sabia of The Sweet Lush Cupcakery.
The ScrantonMade Market used to be held on Courthouse Square in the city. Many people are happy it was moved inside this year.
"I came to this last year downtown around by the courthouse and it was freezing and rainy and this is so much nicer. It's great. Everything here is. I know I'm going to spend a lot of money here today,” said Denise Zapielski of Taylor.
"You never know how the weather is and there's more room here than the courthouse was,” said Deanna McConnell of Olyphant.
The Festival of Trees is also being held inside the unused mall space. The annual exhibit features elaborately decorated trees, each one sponsored by an organization, business or school.
All the money raised goes to Toys for Tots. This is also the first year the Festival of Trees was moved to the mall. It used to be at the Electric City Trolley Station and Museum.
"I was disappointed, naturally that we lost it," said Tom Bartley, who works at the trolley museum. "However, it's wonderful the marketplace is here with us and I think, am hoping, it will be a big boost for the mall. People will realize now the mall will grow again and be popular again.”
The Festival of Trees will be on display all month. The holiday market will be open again Saturday.
