Looking to enjoy some fresh air? Stop by The Black Dog Coffee Company at 8001 Charles Town Road in Shenandoah Junction on Saturday, September 12 from 11am to 5pm for an outdoor “Makers Market.” Eighteen local artists will be on site with their handmade gifts for sale. The artists are juried and selected to ensure high quality items, all handmade locally. The Black Dog has plenty of parking and room for everyone to enjoy themselves outside while maintaining social distancing. Enjoy some fresh coffee and baked goods from The Black Dog as well as the delicious Jamaican food from C&G Authentic Jamaican Chicken. Masks are encouraged but not required. Hand sanitizer at every booth. Admission is free.
Visitors can buy a raffle ticket for a chance to win handmade items (soaps, pottery, honey, jewelry, etc.) donated by the artists for $1/ticket — all proceeds will benefit the three homeless shelters in the area — Bethany House, Martinsburg Rescue Mission, and Eastern Panhandle Empowerment Center. The event organizers will also be accepting donations of canned goods, boxed foods, and toiletries at the event (with anyone who donates receiving bonus door prize tickets!).
The event is organized by Michelle Kwiatkowski of Wild Rose Soap Co., Mike Powers of Drakiln Glass, and Kurt Shade of Shade’s Farm. Michelle explained why she focused on helping the shelters with this event: “I’ve worked with the shelters once or twice a year for about five years now, with a Mother’s Day and Veterans Day gift bag drive. They do such great work for people in need there, at some of the toughest times in their lives. Now, with COVID, there are even more people in need and these groups can use all the extra help they can get.”
“Back in college, I volunteered often at soup kitchens at our local homeless shelter in Wisconsin and found it so eye-opening to see individuals and families with kids coming to get a hot meal. Years later, my own family was suddenly homeless after a house fire. Thankfully we had insurance to pay for a hotel, but I think about how homelessness can happen very fast (a disaster — or these days, a job loss), so it’s important to support these charities that are helping people with food and shelter.
Visit The Black Dog Coffee Company’s Facebook page for event updates and a complete list of artists.
By Staff Contributor