AFTS Gallery, in collaboration with The BID (Springfield Downtown) and Tower Square, is proud to present MRKT by AFTS Gallery, a pop-up retail shop opening in Tower Square this holiday season.
What started as a small gift shop inside AFTS Gallery is growing into something bigger: a space that brings the community goods from local makers and businesses. Every item at MRKT is locally made, so you’ll find one-of-a-kind gifts for yourself and the special people in your life.
MRKT runs November 23 through January 8, giving you plenty of time to shop for the holidays.
More than a gift shop
MRKT is a space where local talent comes together to sell and showcase their work, from artists and jewelry makers to clothing designers and more. We’re changing the way Springfield sees downtown, and we’re finding ways to include YOU in our mission.
Not a booth. A storefront.
Too often, local makers are asked to squeeze their work onto a crowded folding table or into a cramped booth, competing for attention with everything around them. MRKT was built differently. Every corner of the shop has been thoughtfully designed to let each maker’s work breathe, with intentional displays, real shelving, and a layout that invites shoppers to slow down, explore, and connect with the story behind each piece.
For many artists and small businesses, having a brick-and-mortar store can feel out of reach, especially as rent continues to rise. MRKT closes that gap. It’s a chance for makers to see their work on real shelves, in a real retail setting, and to imagine what their own storefront could one day look like. For some, it’s a first step. For others, it’s proof of what’s possible.
Why this collaboration matters
MRKT is what happens when an arts organization, a downtown district, and a landmark property come together around a shared belief: that local creatives deserve a seat at the table in the heart of the city. By bringing together AFTS Gallery, The BID, and Tower Square, we’re turning an empty storefront into a hub of creativity, commerce, and community, and giving shoppers a reason to spend their holiday dollars right here at home.
When you shop at MRKT, your money goes directly back into the hands of the people who make Springfield what it is.
Come shop, come gather, come see what downtown can be.
Tower Square, 1500 Main Street, Springfield, MA
November 23 – January 8
M-F 11am – 4pm | @aftsgallery | aftsgallery.com
