LOUISVILLE, Ky. —  The holiday shopping season is in full force with Christmas just days away. One event in Louisville gave shoppers the chance to spend their dollars locally.

This weekend, the Flea Off Market held its 13^th annual holiday bazaar at the Mellwood Art Center. It featured dozens of artists, crafters, entrepreneurs and a visit from Santa Claus himself.

Sam Ingram (left) and Miranda Kehrer (right) spent Sunday shopping at the 13th annual Flea Off Market holiday bazaar. (Spectrum News 1/Mason Brighton)

“The main presents are done, but if something reminds me of someone, then I’m just going to grab that real quick,” said shopper Sam Ingram of Louisville.

“We love this area, so it’s nice to support local,” added her friend, Miranda Kehrer.

Choosing to spend their dollars on small businesses is something that just means more to artists like Cameron Davis, who sometimes spends well over a month on paintings that are uniquely his own. 

Cameron Davis works away on his latest art piece at his vendor booth Dec. 22, 2024, at the Mellwood Art Center. He operates under the business Infinite Horizon Art. (Spectrum News 1/Mason Brighton)

“That’s like my Christmas present,” he said. “I just like planting a seed of environment into the future generation and really just like the future of humanity, and I feel that’s how I can play my part in elevating the frequency on this planet.”

“Any dollar you can spend here is just going to make our community better, and I love that people have decided to do that,” said business owner Marianne Zickuhr, who makes handmade jewelry such as earrings and necklaces.