CAZENOVIA — Cazenovia’s H. Grey Supply Co. has partnered with Wildflowers Armory and Salt City Market to present the inaugural “Holigays” Pride Market to benefit the LGBTQ+ community.

The event will be held at Salt City Market at 484 S. Salina St. on Saturday, Dec. 16, from 4 to 8 p.m.

Coordinated by Travis Barr, co-owner of H. Grey Supply Co., and Michael John Heagerty, founder of Wildflowers Armory, the Holigays market will feature LGBTQIA+ vendors and makers and will support the Q Center at ACR Health.

Located at 617 W. Genesee St. in Syracuse, the Q Center is a safe space for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning youth; their families; and allies to gather, share, and receive support. The center’s programming promotes equality, celebrates diversity, provides resources that cultivate pride and leadership skills, and strives to create a safe and inclusive community for all.

The event will be emceed by drag performer Anita Buffem, Barr’s professional persona.

“She promises an egregious level of sparkle and fun at the event,” said Barr.

The Holigays Pride Market is logistically supported and managed by Nida Nizam of F13 Studio.

H. Grey Supply Co. is a modern-day general store and outfitter focused on bringing people together in a safe, inclusive space and celebrating small-batch makers and independent brands. The business established Cazenovia Pride in 2021 to celebrate and uplift the local LGBTQ+ community. Visit hgreysupplyco.com or follow @HGreySupplyCo on social media to learn more.

Wildflowers Armory, a multi-vendor marketplace, has established itself as a hub for local artists, makers, and creators in Syracuse. Its mission is to nurture and showcase the talents of local artisans, providing a platform for creativity and community engagement. For more information, visit wildflowersarmory.com and the Wildflowers Armory Facebook page or follow @wildflowers_syr on Instagram.

Salt City Market reflects Syracuse’s diverse tapestry, offering a space that embodies the city’s culture, glory, richness, and grit. It is built upon the dream of creating a communal space that showcases Syracuse’s hidden culinary gems and fosters economic empowerment for local residents. Learn more at saltcitymarket.com or by following @theSaltCityMarket.

“We invite everyone to come and experience the warmth and joy of the holiday season while supporting a great cause and embracing the diversity that makes our community so special,” said Barr. “Join us for an evening of shopping, celebration, and community spirit at Syracuse’s Salt City Market. Let’s make this holiday season a memorable one for everyone.”

According to Barr, bringing members of the LGBTQIA+ community together in an environment of inclusivity and support is especially important this time of year.

“You always hear folks talk about how it can be difficult to be around family during the holidays,” Barr said. “Now imagine you’re one of the 60 percent of LGBTQ young people who [The Trevor Project reports] find their home to be non-LGBTQ-affirming. Imagine being one of the over 40 percent who seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year. The holidays can be especially challenging for LGBTQIA+ individuals in non-affirming environments, where concealing your identity, or not being able to be your full self, is a harsh reality. The disparity between society’s expectations of joy and the internal struggle of hiding who you are can lead to profound isolation.”

Barr added that the alarming statistics from The Trevor Project that he referenced indicate high rates of suicidal ideation among LGBTQ youth and emphasize the urgent need for awareness and support.

“The juxtaposition of festive cheer with the fear of rejection or hostility amongst family underscores the challenges faced by the LGBTQIA+ community during the holiday season,” he said. “In all that we do under the umbrella of H. Grey, at the forefront is fostering understanding, acceptance, and unconditional love within families and in our communities. Advocating for LGBTQIA+ rights and providing resources can contribute to creating a more compassionate environment, ensuring that everyone feels loved and supported during the holidays and beyond.”

For more information about the Holigays Pride Market, contact Barr at [email protected] or 917-288-2241.

H. Grey pop-ups

H. Grey has been invited to “pop-up” for the holiday season at The Hub in Hamilton. The location will feature H. Grey’s barista bar; popular brands, such as Momofuku, Rummo pasta, and Ritual Zero Proof Alcohol; and new brands, such as ban.do and Bridge & Burn Clothing.

The business was also invited to be the featured vendor for the holiday season at Wildflowers’ location at Salt City Market.

“The partnership there has been amazing, and [it’s what] the Pride Market was born from,” said Barr. “While we aren’t serving coffee, you can still find fan favorites like our own line of greeting cards, designed by us, and our new H. Grey line of skincare, The Complexion Studio.”

H. Grey will be at both pop-up locations through Dec. 31.