A Holiday Market Scam
What I Learned, and How We Can Look Out for Each Other
Last weekend, while packing my new bestseller bundle boxes for the Merry & Bright holiday market, something just…felt off. I still hadn’t received load-in instructions. No courtesy tickets for my collectors. No final schedule.
I called—the line wasn’t in service.
I emailed—every message bounced back.
I checked the venues—nothing scheduled on those dates.
That’s when it hit me: I’d been scammed.
Back in March 2025, I was contacted by a company called EVend Events claiming to produce makers markets throughout the Hudson Valley. They said they had a few openings for holiday markets and asked if I’d be interested. And honestly? I was.
The locations they proposed—New Rochelle’s Greentree Country Club and City Winery’s Hudson Valley campus—were luxe, local, and aligned beautifully with the Three Birch Hill brand and with the kind of experience I love offering my collectors.
Before applying, I did what I always do: due diligence.
After a not-very-profitable holiday market in 2024, I wanted to make sure the investment would be worth it. So I asked questions:
Who is the EVend client?
How many fine-art vendors typically attend?
What’s the average price point?
Would Three Birch Hill feel like a fit?
Their answers all sounded great. They even mentioned providing tables, linens, and chairs—one less logistical headache for me (and possibly no pickup rental!).
But as the date approached, the usual uptick in event-producer communication never came. No marketing materials. No instructions. No schedules. Just silence.
A week before the market, I knew. This wasn’t going to happen.
The good news: I paid with my business credit card, and my bank has issued a provisional credit while they investigate.
The bad news: That doesn’t recover the lost revenue during what is typically the most important season of the year for small product-based businesses.
Am I embarrassed to admit I got scammed? A little. But I also know this: I would want someone to tell me if there were scammers targeting our community of makers, artisans, and small creative businesses.
If sharing this experience helps even one person avoid the same situation, then it’s worth it.
And going forward? If I apply for any events beyond those hosted by the fabulous and highly reputable Artrider, I’ll be asking for references—every time.
Stay safe out there, support the small businesses you love, and I hope your holiday season is filled with joy, warmth, and beautiful things.