Local Vendors Get a Jump Start on Tax-Free Holiday Shopping

Julie Williamson (left), owner of doyou247 LLC stands in The 247 Showroom with daughter Chamicka Smith as they prepare custom t-shirt heat transfers for Christmas in July patrons visiting their new downtown location inside of 4000sf of showroom space at CenCon Cowork, 610 N Julia Street.

By Dr. V. Dunbar – Dreamweek, Inc. recently held its third annual Christmas in July fundraiser to benefit programs that foster community engagement and advance social progress in Jacksonville. The two-day event brought vendors and shoppers together in downtown to kick off the tax-free back to school holiday season, while also giving local vendors an opportunity to get a jump start on larger retailers. More than 15 vendors participated in the event that brought in several dozen shoppers. Vendors included home crafters and creatives with

Nicole Smith (far right), owner of Carmen on the Run Styling talks fashion and style with daughter, Dallas, and pre-season holiday shoppers Summer Smith (far left) with her mom Yuletta by her side at the 3rd annual Christmas in July Indoor Marketplace located at CenCon Cowork, 610 N Julia Street in downtown Jacksonville.

original, custom products as well as clothing and t-shirt retailers and home goods.  The Indoor Marketplace and networking event was held at CenCon Cowork, a minority woman owned co-working space located in downtown Jacksonville.  CenCon Cowork was also impacted by the pandemic and swiftly issued masks and hand sanitizers to participants to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 while promoting its shared offices and meeting spaces. Shoppers who could not attend in person had the opportunity to shop via Facebook Live and win giveaways that are shipped directly to their door. “I am so happy that we decided to move forward with this event that surely brought economic activity downtown while also supporting our small, local businesses that have been hardest hit by COVID-19, our programs support small enterprises and emerging grassroots organizations and nonprofits. Today was a good day for them.  Everyone experienced multiple sales,” said event coordinator Dr. V. Dunbar.   The promotion of local entrepreneurs and bringing economic opportunities to downtown is an integral part of Dreamweek’s mission to showcase Jacksonville Florida as the ‘Dream City’ of the millennia in culture/diversity, art/creatives, business/entrepreneurship, and social progress.  For more information and upcoming events details visit at www.dreamweekjax.org

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