Originally published at https://www.ci.oceanside.ca.us on December 10, 2020.
Cathy Viars stands behind the June Bugs Hair Bowtique booth at the 2019 Merry Makers Fair.
Oceanside native Cristina Viars said her grandmother, June, would watch in awe as she and her mother, Cathy, made hair accessories for fun. Cathy is the seamstress and Cristina, the self-proclaimed “glue gun girl.” Grandma June would help when she could, three generations bonding while keeping their hands busy.
When June passed away in 2012, Cristina and Cathy knew exactly how to honor her memory: by turning their hobby into a business. The mother-daughter duo launched June Bugs Hair Bowtique online in 2013 and expanded beyond hair bows, into clips, scarves, and key fobs, among other accessories.
In October, Cristina lost her full-time retail job after the company she worked for went out of business, a casualty of the coronavirus pandemic. Cristina said she is grateful for the outlet June Bugs brings her for coping while quarantined. She is also looking forward to connecting with customers in person at one of her favorite events, the Merry Makers Fair, masked and distanced, of course.
“I really like doing the Merry Makers Fair because it's in my hometown,” Cristina said. “I’m hoping the event brings some magic back into the holiday season. It will be nice to see everyone, even at a six-foot distance.”
SongBirdKids.com’s booth at the 2019 Merry Makers Fair. Courtesy Roadwest Photography by Jessamyn Trout.
Gumaro Escarcega with MainStreet Oceanside, organizer of the pop-up market, said the impact of COVID-19 on the event has been “tremendous” as they gear up to return for the fifth year under ever-changing state and local guidelines. The free to attend Merry Makers Fair will be held entirely outdoors in a parking lot at Pier View Way and Tremont Street for one day only on Saturday, Dec. 12. The no-touch event will be limited to 30 local makers, socially distanced, face coverings required, and with plenty of sanitizer stations.
“The City of Oceanside is holding us accountable for safety which I totally agree with,” said Escarcega. “We plan to adopt similar no-touch protocols used by our farmers market, which has been open since May, to help shoppers feel safe.”
Escarcega said customers can expect a similar variety of makers as in years past selling hand-crafted products, spanning jewelry to home goods, photography to children’s clothing. He likens the Merry Makers Fair to a scavenger hunt.
“You get to find unique items, things that relate to you, things that are fun to give, and fun to share with others,” Escarcega said.
The Oceanside Candle Company, Suzi Blue Designs, Comadre Crafts, Simply Sassy by Borga, Sundaze Originals, and California Wix are among the 30 creatives on the fair’s roster this year.
The 2019 Merry Makers Fair. Courtesy Roadwest Photography by Jessamyn Trout.
The Merry Makers Fair is part of the “Shop Local” partnership between MainStreet Oceanside and the City of Oceanside Economic Development Division to safely support businesses during the pandemic. The program runs from Friday, Nov. 20 – Sunday, Dec. 20 to entice the community to shop at local businesses, in store and online. Businesses in downtown Oceanside can opt to participate in “Shop Local” activities such as a digital coupon book, social media contests, and a holiday window-dressing contest.
Escarcega is “speechless” when thinking about how much the city has done to pump money back into the local economy. The business owners he speaks with say they are grateful for the support during these challenging circumstances.
Michelle Geller, Oceanside Economic Development Manager, said the city is doing all it can to act swiftly, keep businesses alive, and move forward in a safe manner. The city launched a “Hire Local” initiative and awarded over 100 small business grants through partnerships with the Chamber of Commerce and MainStreet Oceanside. The city also implemented a small business loan program. They helped make Merry Makers possible this year by guiding MainStreet Oceanside through the logistical complexities of turning the fair into a no-touch market.
“Shop local has never carried more weight than it does now as we weather the coronavirus pandemic together,” she said. “Whether you’re coming to the Merry Makers Fair or buying online from shops in Oceanside, local spending throughout the holiday season provides a fundamental tool that can keep our economy afloat.”
Escarcega hopes the Merry Makers Fair is a success because it opens up the possibility of bringing a similar event to Oceanside on a monthly or bi-weekly basis. “The goal is attracting people to visit our downtown district and that ripple effect carries over to other businesses,” he said.
A shopper visits a booth at the 2019 Merry Makers Fair. Courtesy Roadwest Photography by Jessamyn Trout.
Meanwhile, this will be the third consecutive year June Bugs is participating in the Merry Makers Fair, and Cristina said it’s one of their most fruitful events. Cristina and her mom are excited to debut a variety of jersey knit infinity scarves at their booth this year.
Cristina said her grandmother, a Marine Corps veteran, was the go-getter in the family and would be so tickled by the business they created in her name. “She would be very, very proud of us,” she said.
The rules to ensure a safe environment at the Merry Makers Fair include:
Wear a mask.
Engage in no-touch shopping.
Practice six feet social distancing.
Follow a one-way pathway to walk.
Only 50 shoppers are allowed at one time.
For more information about the Merry Makers Fair, go to https//www.mainstreetoceanside.com/2020-merry-makers-fair.
For more information about Shop Local Oceanside, go to www.mainstreetoceanside.com/shop-local-oceanside.
For more information about June Bugs Hair Bowtique, go to www.etsy.com/shop/JuneBugsHairBowtique.