After running a successful health and wellness market last month at the Rosedon Hotel on Pitts Bay Road in Hamilton, Demeka Tacklyn is keeping the momentum going.

The entrepreneur launches the City Hall Christmas Market Friday and Monday on the lawn with more than 30 small businesses selling everything from crystals, and Christmas gift bags to shoes and essential oils.

“The pandemic hit a lot of retailers hard,” said Ms Tacklyn, who has run Demeka Wholesale on Court Street for eight years. “I had to see what I could do.

“As entrepreneurs we can’t sit down and wait for things to fall into our laps. We have to pay attention to what is shaking.”

She wanted to hold her market in front of City Hall, but when she approached the corporation, the price quoted was a little steep for her.

“I was trying to do the math,” she said. “I knew what I needed to see happen, but did not know how it would balance out.”

She appealed to the Bermuda Economic Development Corporation for assistance.

“I have never asked for help before,” she said.

But she found the BEDC happy to help with sponsorship. She was even able to add an extra day for the market.

“This is my first time getting a sponsor,” she said. “I am really happy. It is time for the small entrepreneurs to come out. Everyone who has been put down, it is time to come out!”

Ms Tacklyn said some North Hamilton businesses are feeling particularly frustrated because it feels like some Christmas shoppers forget about them.

“We don’t know why,” she said.

She said Court Street has its challenges, but it also has a dedicated and creative group of merchants.

Some of the vendors at the City Hall Christmas Market will be from Court Street and the surrounding area.

Ms Tacklyn said the market was a great opportunity for shoppers who don’t often get to North Hamilton to see what merchants from the neighbourhood have to offer.

“Hopefully, it will entice them over to see us,” Ms Tacklyn said.