Finding Joy: Trinity Hosts Christmas Market After Heirloom Fire

By Samantha DePriest

Late in the afternoon on Wednesday, September 21st, a fire started in Heirloom Market Co and Bakeshop that completely destroyed this local landmark and Trinity Christian School next door neighbor. The beautiful building was home to more than 50 local vendors and Junior Boutiques. This cozy place was quite popular with our Trinity students enjoying study breaks and Bible study time and where Trinity families enjoyed before school and after school treats and shopped for those perfect gifts.

Since the fire, Heirloom Market owners Laura & Justin Gibson are picking up the pieces and have been working around the clock with their incredible team of loyal staff to reopen their business as soon as possible. The 1st Saturday each November, they host an annual Christmas Market event that is their version of Black Friday. The event is complete with their delicious homemade donuts, Christmas pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and a warm invitation to the community to come celebrate the start of the holiday season.

Heirloom Owner Laura Gibson hugs Finny Farm owner Yvonne Conaway.

With God’s help, the Trinity community rallied together and extended a neighborly hand to the Heirloom families in their time of need. On Saturday, November 5th, Trinity hosted the Christmas Market in our stadium. Over 30 Heirloom vendors selling hand crafted and locally made items covered the field with their tents and boutiques, many of whom were Trinity families. Beautiful Christmas music filled the air as the Trinity Performing Arts choral ensemble and band performed favorites songs of the season. There was such excitement while folks waited in line purchasing more than 100 dozen donuts, cupcakes, muffins, and more at the Heirloom Bakeshop tent that staff had been baking through the night. Friends and families shopped together scooping up cute gifts and sharing warm hugs and smiles. Almost 100 long sleeve Heirloom shirts were sold with profits going directly to Heirloom families. Most importantly, these vendors were given a chance at what they thought may be a lost Christmas shopping season for their small businesses.

Trinity families shop for hidden treasures.

The Gibson’s shared “Trinity, Thank you! Thank you for sacrificing your Saturday morning. Thank you for allowing us to use your football field. Thank you for the endless hours of planning. Thank you for loving us through this. Thank you for your hard work. Thank you for coming to our rescue! Thank you to the volunteers! Thank you to those who helped promote the event! And thank you community for coming and supporting our boutiques. We are forever grateful! We hope you found some great gifts and enjoyed your time with us!”

Trinity student Elie Oh sells bracelets, necklaces, and rings at her Junior Boutique “Elie with Love”

Sam Caldwell ran a Junior Boutique selling soaps for the 1st time. He made and brought 50 bars of soap with him to sell and after just a few hours, he sold out! His Mom shared, “This was such a great opportunity for him that we are grateful for. It definitely helped build his confidence to have such success at his 1st event.” Ethan Bowen also hosted a Junior Boutique and sold out of his candles in just a few hours. Philomena & Co shared “It was very uplifting to see how many people came to support the vendors after such a devastating event.” Brenda Brown shared, “As a vendor at Heirloom (Solomon & Sixth), we wanted to add a personal thank you to Heirloom, Trinity and the Community for your support for yesterday’s Christmas market. Without the considerable planning, advertisement, help with set-up and tear-down, and the support of those who attended, we would not have had such a successful day. A very warm thank you from Jim, Brenda, and Gina!”

The Bible tells us in John 15:12 “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” The Christmas Market was a beautiful example of God’s love, humility, sacrifice, and service. Witnessing neighbors helping neighbors in our community filled up the hearts of all in attendance.

The Heirloom Market Co. Boutique Pop-Up Shop re-opens today, Tuesday, November 8th, in the Peachtree City Avenue at 10am. They are located between Francesca’s and Highland Bakery and are open through 7pm today. Hope to see y’all there!