The Pajama Factory invites you to “shop local and support our local artist community” as it holds its annual Holiday Market on Saturday, Dec. 2, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The free admission event will feature a wonderland of artwork, clothing, jewelry, seasonal decorations, woodworking, art supplies, baked goods and more, all made by over 60 local craftsmen, artisans and entrepreneurs.
The Holiday Market is a “Williamsport tradition that is continuing in a big way,” a press release said, promising “to get you in the merriest of moods with an atmosphere full of both the holiday spirit and the most unique gifts.”
“Shopping for the perfect gift doesn’t have to be stressful,” the release added. “We are making it even more fun by offering a variety of drinks and yummy food so you can sip and shop while enjoying your time.”
Four Friends Winery and Nomad Distilling Co. will be on hand to provide their respective adult beverages.
Savory pastries from The British Bake Company will give the community a taste of popular treats from across the pond, with family recipes that go back over five generations.
Tiger Lily Ghost Bistro will have a special menu, including desserts and vegetarian or vegan options.
Soul Food City and Real Taste 570 food trucks will also be at the event.
Additionally, the market will feature “Gallery Halls,” a half-mile of art displayed in hallways of the building, the largest display of art in the area. An art show of works by Joanne Landis and Brian Spies will also be held in The Other Space venue from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
There will be a new VIP shopping option this year.
Shoppers can take advantage of this option from 10 to 11 a.m. by donating an unwrapped toy or making a cash/check donation to Toys for Tots is the admission cost for this hour of early shopping.
Just in time for the Holiday Market will be the opening of a newly completed parking lot along Cemetery Street.
At the heart of the newly opened lot will be a 175-foot-tall smokestack, which according to a press release, is “a relic from the days when the Pajama Factory, originally Lycoming Rubber Company, was heated by a single steam system that was piped throughout the complex of 10 buildings.”
“The smokestack was specifically included in the Pajama Factory ‘National Registry of Historic Places’ listing,” the release said.
The design of the lot, which took about a month to complete, allows for a storm water collection system, which will help mitigate pollution runoff into the Susquehanna River and the Chesapeake Bay.
“We are doing our small part to protect the oysters and blue claw crabs,” Pajama Factory owner Mark Winkelman said in a press release.
Storm water pipes had to be tunneled under the previous lot. Additionally, old bunkers and rail ties were removed before the lot was leveled and covered with gravel before the two levels of asphalt could be laid down, which was a race against time as asphalt factories closed for the winter season.
The smokestack was a strong influence on the final design, which includes added parking lines and light fixtures on the four wooden poles surrounding the smokestack.
The new layout allows passenger and material drop-offs easy access to the passenger elevator, as well as to the ‘Community Room’ and ‘The Other Space,’ which more recently opened to accommodate gatherings of 30 to 50 people, according to the press release.
The project cost $350,000, with funding provided by a State RACP grant, along with support from Susquehanna Community Bank. The engineer that worked out the storm water mitigation design is Dan Vassallo, of Vassallo Engineering & Surveying, was responsible for the storm water mitigation design, while Brian Hurst from Dave Gutelius Excavating, helmed the project’s construction, with Becca Newburg responsible for the graphics and parking stall layout.
Improvements to parking at the complex are expected to continue with plans to repave the parking lot on Rose Street being eyed for spring 2024, according to the press release. Other improvements will continue over time.
“We are currently exploring landscapers who can help us with the planting islands we have in the parking lot that will provide beautiful street presence, as well as a place to plant trees that can offer shade to the west side of the building,” Mark said. “We have some initial thoughts for planting wildflowers in the rain garden that surrounds the smokestack.”
“It was so exciting to watch out the window each day and follow the progress,” Suzanne Winkleman added. “What a difference it will make, and we are so glad we could finally get this done.”
For more information, see pajamafactory.net or visit their Facebook page.
