Two entrepreneurs have announced a new artistic hub that will connect artists and artisans with
customers while contributing to the revitalization of downtown Bristol, CT.
Care and Eric Verikas plan a January opening for The Bristol Bazaar, a 5,800-square-foot space at 67 Race
St. that will feature retail spaces where artists and craftspeople sell and teach, complemented by a
“coffee-cocktail” lounge to enhance the shopping experience.
“It’ll feel like you’re shopping outside in a lively bazaar,” said Care, who with Eric conceived of the idea
during travels across the United States. The couple also founded and operates Dusty Dude Woodworks,
a custom furniture and woodworking business in Bristol.
“We saw a very similar concept out West and fell in love with it when we were traveling before Covid,”
Care said. “But we’re adding additional space for classes and the coffee-cocktail lounge, so we’re not
going with the traditional bohemian style we saw then. The flooring will be brick tile and artificial turf
with a lot of faux building fronts and Juliet balconies, plus we will redecorate for different holidays. It’ll
be like a New York-New York casino feeling.”
The bazaar will have a central check-out register so the artists won’t have to be on-site during every
hour of operation and Care said the cocktail lounge, which will feature coffee-flavored alcoholic
beverages, will also draw visitors to the space.
The Bazaar will have room for 30 to 40 small businesses, and tenants will have access to a “think tank”
that can be reserved at no charge. The Think Tank will be a space for tenants to meet with a client,
collaborate with another maker, take phone calls, brainstorming sessions and so much more. It will
be furnished with a screen, whiteboard and conferencing equipment. The couple also plans to host
networking events and monthly speakers on business topics like growing a side hustle or accounting for
entrepreneurs.
Tenants will have first choice for hosting classes in the event space, and community members will be
allowed to rent the space for teaching as well. Care envisions it will be used for events like Paint-and-Sip
classes, candle making, and perhaps corporate retreats.
Dusty Dude Woodworks will also have a space in the bazaar.
“To date we have almost two dozen small businesses inquiring,” Care said. “I think the interest will be
high because our pricing structure will be very fair and a lot of perks come with it.”
For more information, and to make inquiries about the Bristol Bazaar, contact Care at
info@thebristolbazaar.com or (860) 222-0922.
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The Bristol Bazaar is an indoor makers market that is open year-round. We support over 65 makers at any given point, have an event/classroom space and we're also home to Yellow King Bristol, a coffee cocktail lounge.
We look forward to seeing you!
Hours of Operation:
Sunday: 10am - 6pm
Monday: CLOSED
Tuesday: 9am - 8pm
Wednesday: 9am - 8pm
Thursday: 9am - 8pm
Friday: 9am - 9pm
Saturday: 9am - 9pm
HourHH
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