Local artisans bring handmade goods and Halloween fun to November market events
(CLAIR | Simi Valley, CA) — About 170 vendors will fill the Rancho Santa Susana Community Center on Sunday for the sixth annual Simi Valley Boutique Crawl holiday market. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 5005 E. Los Angeles Ave. Admission and parking are free.
Organizer Hope Tropper said the event will go forward rain or shine. A second market is scheduled for Nov. 15 at the same location. That date was added to accommodate a vendor waiting list.
Sunday's event doubles as an extended Halloween celebration. Costumes are encouraged. Children can trick-or-treat at vendor booths while adults shop and take part in a scavenger hunt.
"We're extending Halloween by a day," Tropper said.
About 85 percent of the vendors come from the city or elsewhere in Ventura County. Most sell handcrafted items.
"We have approximately 170 vendors, featuring handcrafted artisan products and unique, one-of-a-kind creations you won't find just anywhere," Tropper said.
The market will include jewelry, home décor, designer clothing, skincare products, candles, pottery, woodwork, custom hats, sewn and crocheted items, plants and holiday decorations. A few direct-sales businesses will also attend, including Mary Kay, Damsel in Defense and Color Street.
Keto Sweets LA will offer gluten-free, sugar-free, dairy-free and vegan options. Food vendors include a coffee stand, a hot dog cart and a Mexican food vendor.
Musician Richard Belmond will perform live. Tropper described him as energetic and good with children. Two children's authors will sell their books.
Several vendors have previewed their booths on social media. Succulentry will sell live succulent arrangements. California Girl Honey, appearing for the first time, will offer raw local honey, creamed honey in five flavors, beeswax candles, lip balm and dog nose and paw balm. Two Best Hens will feature new towel designs and is taking preorders because its items typically sell out.
Shoppers can participate in a scavenger hunt by solving riddles to find participating vendors and collect stickers. Those who solve all the riddles enter a drawing for $100. Each purchase from a vendor earns a raffle ticket for a chance at one of eight $25 prizes.
The crawl began in December 2020 after COVID canceled holiday boutiques. Lisa Ide proposed a home-to-home event featuring local artisans and small businesses. It started with 10 to 15 host homes and about 10 to 20 vendors at each location. Shoppers collected stickers at every home on a bingo card.
That format continued for four and a half years until a major rainstorm hit last November. Tropper got involved then. Within three days, organizers rented the vacant East Macy's department store at Simi Town Center and moved the event indoors.
Shoppers preferred having everything in one location, Tropper said. A February event followed in the vacant West Macy's. Organizers then moved to the community center.
"Park staff have been incredible to work with," Tropper said.
The crawl now holds events before Valentine's Day and Mother's Day in addition to the November markets.
"We love making this a family-friendly community event, with something for everyone to enjoy," Tropper said. "Our goal is to create a fun community gathering where families can enjoy themselves, discover talented local artisans, shop small, and support local businesses."
The Simi Valley Boutique Crawl Facebook group has about 7,700 members. Organizers post vendor previews and updates there. For more information, visit facebook.com/groups/simivalleyboutiquecrawl.
