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Handmade soaps, ritual kits, embroidered clothing and small-batch candles filled the Chan Zuckerberg Community Space on Nov. 20 as more than 200 people gathered for the second annual Holiday Night Market.
The marketplace, hosted by Renaissance Entrepreneurship at the Community space at 801 Jefferson Ave., brought together 20 small-business vendors from Redwood City and nearby communities. Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center, which partnered on the event, provides training, one-on-one consulting and access to capital to support emerging entrepreneurs.
Jerry Mathis, Peninsula Team program specialist for Renaissance, said the organization received more than 60 vendor applications for this year’s market and accepted only 20. Several applicants have already been placed on a waitlist for 2026, he said. Vendors were chosen across several categories to ensure a broad mix of local makers.
This year’s market featured a range of homegrown businesses. At Soul Gifts USA, owner Linda Zafra arranged rows of handmade soaps and soy candles scented with jasmine, pumpkin and vanilla. Nearby, Lil’ Artesanal Gifts, a new Redwood City venture, displayed beaded necklaces, sage bundles, ritual kits and embroidered blouses in bold, woven patterns.
Tatiana Sanchez-Rivera, communications manager at CZI, said the market continues to grow in both attendance and vendor interest. “We had over 200 guests in the Community Space for the Night Market, and all of our vendors were small business owners,” she said.
The evening also included raffles, tastings and discounts from participating downtown restaurants, giving shoppers a chance to support local retailers heading into the holiday season.
The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, which opened its Community Space in downtown Redwood City in 2022, provides free event space for local nonprofits and community groups and supports programs focused on expanding access to housing, education and economic opportunity.
