2024 Annual #ShopAAPI Holiday Market Brings 35 Vendors to Boston

Boston – The Asian Business Empowerment Council (ABEC), an initiative of The Asian Community Fund at The Boston Foundation, hosted the return of its highly anticipated 2024 Annual #ShopAAPI Holiday Market on Wednesday, December 11 at the Boston Foundation.

This merry event showcased 35 AAPI-owned vendors, offering a wide array of handcrafted goods, artisanal products and delicious treats at a vibrant pop-up food court. The holiday market provided shoppers with the perfect opportunity to discover unique holiday gifts while supporting local AAPI entrepreneurs from across the Commonwealth.

“AAPI-owned businesses are the fastest growing in Massachusetts, contributing more than $3.9 billion in payroll to the state’s economy every year. They make up over 10 percent of Main Street businesses and yet, since the pandemic, almost all have seen a decrease in business,” said Q.J. Shi, Senior Director of ABEC. “The holiday market is an opportunity to celebrate AAPI talent and entrepreneurship, and bring the Boston community together. This market is a wonderful opportunity to support local businesses and showcase the creativity of our AAPI makers.”

“We are once again honored to host this year’s #ShopAAPI market in our building, highlighting the importance and creative dynamism of AAPI small businesses in Greater Boston,” said Lee Pelton, President and CEO of the Boston Foundation. “The market provides a real, tangible complement to the research and convening that ABEC and the Asian Community Fund have used so effectively to underscore the core place of AAPI communities in the fabric of our city and region.”

The 2024 #ShopAAPI Holiday Market was made possible through the generous support of its presenting partners, State Street Corporation, Eastern Bank Foundation and Comcast, whose support helps showcase the creativity of AAPI entrepreneurs while fostering connections that strengthen the Commonwealth’s economy.

“Small businesses are at the heart of our neighborhoods, and events like the #ShopAAPI Holiday Market create meaningful opportunities for entrepreneurs to grow their businesses and shape the communities they are a part of,” said Nancy Stager, President and Chief Executive Officer at Eastern Bank Foundation. “We look forward to the impact #ShopAAPI has in uplifting AAPI-owned businesses and fostering local economic vitality.”

“The #ShopAAPI Holiday Market is an inspiring example of how local businesses strengthen the fabric of our economy,” said Joan Christel, President of State Street Foundation. “The innovation and craftsmanship that AAPI entrepreneurs bring to our region is remarkable, and this market is the perfect way to support the community while finding unique and meaningful gifts for the holidays.”

During the event, the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Massachusetts District Director Robert Nelson joined ABEC’s Q.J. Shi for a ceremonial signing of a Strategic Alliance Memorandum with the SBA, announcing a formal strategic partnership to support AAPI-owned small businesses across Massachusetts.

If you missed this year’s holiday market, it’s not too late to #ShopAAPI this holiday season: check out the full digital #ShopAAPI Guide.