The 5th Annual Good Trade Makers Market 2025

Ampersand Creative Co. celebrates The Good Trade’s 5^th Annual Makers Market at WaterFire Arts Center on November 22^nd and 23^rd, 2025. The event brings together nearly 100 independent makers of home decor, art, gourmet food items, apothecary products, apparel, accessories, jewelry, and more, from Rhode Island and eleven other states for a weekend-long holiday shopping event at 475 Valley Street, Providence, RI.

“We started planning The Good Trade’s first makers market in the midst of the pandemic,” says BJ Mansuetti, co-owner of Cranston-based Ampersand Creative Co., the organizers behind the event. “Especially at that time, we all felt the need to support one another and to be together. Now going into our 5^thyear, we’re proud that this event has become a cozy home for an incredible and growing community of talented and positive-minded makers from up and down the east coast. For vendors and shoppers, The Good Trade is an uplifting way to start the holiday season, and for us, it’s a beautiful way to end our busy year of events.”

Half of the participating small businesses are from Rhode Island, while others will make the trip from all over New England, as well as New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and more. In 2022, The Good Trade expended to Burlington, Vermont, creating an opportunity for local Rhode Island businesses to shift from hosts to guests with the chance to pop-up and grow in a new city. By building a network of small business owners and supporters across state lines, The Good Trade Makers Market allows entrepreneurs to grow by collaborating with each other, exploring new sales avenues, and introducing their brands to new passionate and curious shoppers.

“Our goal is to boost the local economy by creating inclusive spaces and unique events where makers can connect with other businesses and the people who support them,” added co-owner Robin Dionne. “We’re excited to host local favorites while giving the community a chance to meet some really great small businesses that they typically wouldn’t have access to.”

The Good Trade will again feature the “Plinko for a Cause” game this year, an interactive fundraising game where shoppers can donate $5 to play to win prizes provided by The Good Trade and event vendors. This year, 100% of the funds donated will benefit WaterFire Providence’s programs that empower local artists.

Ampersand Creative Co.’s series of community markets generates an estimated $3.5M in revenue annual for participating businesses, $600,000 of which comes from The Good Trade Makers Market alone. The events also impact Rhode Island’s economy through tourism. In 2024, the Providence event drew attendees from 21 different states and five countries. 

Advance tickets are available now for $8 online and $10 at the door at goodtrademakersmarket.com. Each ticket includes one beverage from sponsors: a small cocktail from Inside Voices bar, a small beer from Narragansett Beer, a small hot coffee from New Harvest Coffee Roasters, a bottle of Topo Chico Sparkling Mineral Water, or a small ice cream from Gather Farm. The Good Trade’s presenting sponsor is Gather Wealth Financial Management, with support from Gather Glass, The Industrious Spirit Co, Topo Chico, New Harvest Coffee Roasters, Robert Dionne Electrical Contractor, Providence Tourism Council, and Swamp Yankee Art. 

Visit @goodtrademakersmarket on Instagram for daily vendor announcements, ticket updates, and other event details.