Downtown Lincoln’s Midwest Merry Market supporting over 100 small businesses

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — A touch of the Christmas spirit came to Lincoln on Sunday.

More than 100 small business vendors, all local to Nebraska, packed into the Marriott Cornhusker Hotel in Downtown Lincoln.

The third annual Midwest Merry Market gave shoppers a chance to discover a new favorite store and get a head start on the Holiday shopping season.

“We’re here to really support small businesses,” said Kyra McWilliams, one of the organizers and co-owner of Limitless Events. “We’re a small business ourselves, just ran by us two and our husbands. We are supporting small this winter and encouraging everyone else to as well.”

After last year’s market was canceled, leaving many vendors without a chance to showcase their business, Limitless Events took over to make sure this year was a hit.

“Without these events, we definitely could not survive. We really thrive on those type of events,” said Avery Blum, co-owner of Brim & Design.

The record turnout exceeded expectations, giving business owners like Blum the chance to connect with shoppers and boost her business.

“It’s huge for us,” she said. “We are a completely mobile business. We do have a small trailer that we work out of sometimes, but if it wasn’t for these events, we wouldn’t be able to do the work that we do.”

The market also offered shoppers a chance to give back, by taking part in a Toys for Tots Toy Drive.

And for R&D 3D Printing, owner Randy Naimon said that’s part of the magic of the day.

“The biggest goal today, for me personally, is the Toys for Tots raffle,” he said. “If we can get a bunch of money, we’re selling a very large item, a skeleton Brachiosaurus, it’s about three feet tall. If we can raise a lot of money for that, that would be great.”