The Good Trade Returns With Nearly 100 Makers in Providence

Some holiday gifts start with a name on a list, while others start with spotting something across a crowded maker's market and immediately knowing who gets it. The Good Trade Makers Market leans into the second kind when it returns to WaterFire Arts Center November 21 and 22 with nearly 100 independent makers under one roof.

Now in its sixth year in Providence, the market brings together home decor, art, gourmet food, apothecary goods, apparel, accessories, jewelry, and plenty of other finds that can turn “just browsing” into a fairly ambitious shopping trip. About half of this year’s vendors are based in Rhode Island, while the rest are traveling from ten other states, giving shoppers a mix of familiar local names and makers they may not have come across before.

That broader reach is part of what co-owner Robin Dionne values about the event.

“One of the hardest hurdles for any small business is growing beyond its immediate community,” Dionne says. “With The Good Trade, we’re able to celebrate beloved local businesses while also giving Rhode Island shoppers the chance to discover and support makers they might never encounter otherwise.”

There’s also a reason to stop between vendor tables. Plinko for a Cause returns with a $5 donation-to-play setup and prizes supplied by The Good Trade and participating makers, with all proceeds this year benefiting Project Weber/RENEW, the Providence nonprofit that provides peer-led harm reduction and recovery services.

The Good Trade runs 11am-5pm on November 21 and 22 at WaterFire Arts Center. Advance tickets cost $8 online or $10 at the door, and admission includes a drink ticket for a small beverage or a discount on a full-sized one. See the full vendor lineup and grab tickets at goodtrademakersmarket.com.