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Craft vendors offer unique gift ideas at Franklin Park Mall

This was the second year the Franklin Park Mall has invited local vendors to set up shop in the walkways leading up to the holidays.

TOLEDO, Ohio — While the Saturday before Christmas is considered the busiest shopping day of the year, Friday was pretty busy too as local craft vendors helped last-minute shoppers find just the right gift.

While the shops inside of the Franklin Park Mall were bustling with holiday shoppers, more than 20 local craft vendors lined the walkways, offering their locally made goods.

Pae Ross says she has only done online sales for her shop Sweet P Beauty for years but knew her hair products could be a big hit this close to Christmas.

"I just started sewing. I've crafted for a very long time, but I figured stocking stuffers would be great stuffers," said Ross.

This was the second year Franklin Park Mall opened its doors to local vendors.

Knowing the variety would help bring in even more foot traffic and offer shoppers something a little different from the big brand stores.

"Great gift ideas that are really unique, fun, homemade gifts," said Julie Sanderson, Marketing and Business Development Manager at Franklin Park Mall. "It's a great way to give a gift that really is about somebody's personality, and especially if you're giving to somebody who loves homemade gifts or personal art, or those kinds of things, the vendor market is the place to shop."

Credit: Jon Monk
More than 20 vendors set up shop in the mall walkways leading up to the last shopping weekend before Christmas.

Business was consistent for these local vendors as more and more people seemed to be looking for gifts that could carry more of a special meaning to both the gift giver and the recipient.

"We may make another, but it will never be exactly the same. It won't be exactly the same paint, it won't be the exact same cutout. The thing that you buy that's handmade is yours, and it is one of a kind," said Heidi Fry with Jestertastic Creations.

Franklin Park Mall will be open Friday until 9 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Christmas Eve on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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