MELANnaire Marketplace holiday market celebrates the history and culture of Kwanzaa

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(Louisville, KY) The MELANnaire Marketplace holiday market celebrates Kwanzaa.  Starting December 26th Kwanzaa is a time to celebrate the African American culture.  The holiday market welcomes guests into the storefront to celebrate, educate and recognize the rich history and highlight the seven principles.

In support of their recent crowdfunding campaign presented by Fund Black Founders and sponsored by Metro United Way, their campaign ends on January 2nd or when the $25,000 goal is met.

Nachand Trabue, founder of MELANnaire Marketplace says, “We have had a great holiday season at the mall.  So, many people have visited and purchased products from our businesses, and we cannot thank you enough for your support.  It only makes sense to end our time at the mall as well close out the year and by celebrating Kwanzaa. We anticipate a big year ahead and we want you to please continue to support us.” 

The MELANnaire Marketplace Holiday Market will be open until January 2, 2024.  Our store hours are open on the same schedule as Mall St. Matthews. The MELANnaire marketplace will be hosting post-holiday sales on 100’s of items.

The marketplace is located near the entrance of El Nopal and Women’s Dillards on the backside of the mall. 

If you would like to be a vendor and/or be a sponsor, please contact MELANnaire Marketplace at www.melannaire.com.   

Please announce and/or post on your community calendars.  If you have any questions or would like to interview Nachand Trabue, please contact VIPP Communications at 502-341-7306. Please note that you need to contact the Mall PR team to notify them that you will be on the property for security purposes. 

“Where Black Businesses Matter”

Follow us on social media and take photos using the following hashtags so we can share your experience #MELANnairesLou, #BLACKbusinessesMatterLOU & #MELANnaireMarketplace. Instagram:  @melannairemarketplace

MELANnaire Marketplace holiday market now open each day leading up to Christmas Day

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(Louisville, KY) The MELANnaire Marketplace holiday market extends operations so that holiday shoppers can have additional opportunities to visit the storefront at Mall St, Matthews. 

Starting Monday, December 18th we will be open daily leading up to Christmas Day.  The holiday market will follow the schedule of the mall.  Each week, entrepreneurs restock their inventory and add products and merchandise so that holiday shoppers can have a variety of options.   

The MELANnaire Marketplace holiday market showcases businesses in a storefront setting where their products are on display.  When you visit the holiday market customers will find apparel, handcrafted jewelry, signature cotton candy, popcorn books, toys, accessories, candles plus much more.

Nachand Trabue founder of MELANnaire Marketplace says “We are in countdown mode for the holidays and our MELANnaires are preparing for your visit.  We have so many wonderful Black-owned businesses all in one location.  This has been a great experience and eye opening for our entrepreneurs who want to pursue store fronts.  Our dedicated team has stepped in to help make their business become full-time.  To see the fruits of their labor come to life has been so rewarding for all of us involved.  We hope you stop by to support them.”

The MELANnaire Marketplace Holiday Market will be open daily until Christmas Day then we will be open Thursday, Friday and Saturday until January 2, 2024.  Our store hours are open on the same schedule as Mall St. Matthews.

The marketplace is located near the entrance of El Nopal and Women’s Dillards on the backside of the mall. 

If you would like to be a vendor and/or be a sponsor, please contact MELANnaire Marketplace at www.melannaire.com.   

Please announce and/or post on your community calendars.  If you have any questions or would like to interview Nachand Trabue, please contact VIPP Communications at 502-341-7306. Please note that you need to contact the Mall PR team to notify them that you will be on the property for security purposes. 

“Where Black Businesses Matter”

Follow us on social media and take photos using the following hashtags so we can share your experience #MELANnairesLou, #BLACKbusinessesMatterLOU & #MELANnaireMarketplace. Instagram:  @melannairemarketplace

MELANnaire Marketplace holiday market

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Special performances scheduled for Sunday as guest shop  

(Louisville, KY) The MELANnaire Marketplace holiday market welcomes the Young Stars Performance Academy and the Elderserve Choir this Sunday, (Dec. 10th) from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. They will perform as shoppers choose their holiday purchases.

The MELANnaire Marketplace holiday market showcases businesses in a storefront setting where their products are on display.  When you visit the holiday market customers will find apparel, handcrafted jewelry, signature cotton candy, popcorn books, toys, accessories, candles plus much more.

Nachand Trabue founder of MELANnaire Marketplace says “We are in full swing with lots of Santa helpers working to help you find your special gift(s), great customer service and such a large variety of gift ideas.  After church/faith-based services on Sunday we anticipate a big crowd to support the two groups performing.  It’s really starting to feel like the holidays.  Great entertainment and great Black-owned businesses.  It’s a win-win as you mark off items on your Christmas list.”

The MELANnaire Marketplace Holiday Market will be open every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until January 2, 2024.  Our store hours are open on the same schedule as Mall St. Matthews.

The marketplace is located near the entrance of El Nopal and Women’s Dillards on the backside of the mall. 

If you would like to be a vendor and/or be a sponsor, please contact MELANnaire Marketplace at www.melannaire.com.   

Please announce and/or post on your community calendars.  If you have any questions or would like to interview Nachand Trabue, please contact VIPP Communications at 502-341-7306.

“Where Black Businesses Matter”

Follow us on social media and take photos using the following hashtags so we can share your experience #MELANnairesLou, #BLACKbusinessesMatterLOU & #MELANnaireMarketplace. Instagram:  @melannairemarketplace

Countdown to the holidays with great gift ideas at the MELANnaire Marketplace holiday market

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Special performance by the troupe from Rush Trowel’s “The Soul of Christmas”

(Louisville, KY) The MELANnaire Marketplace holiday market is in full swing welcoming shoppers to their storefront in Mall St. Matthews.  Black-owned businesses update their inventory weekly so guests can visit multiple times as we prepare for Christmas and Kwanzaa.    

The MELANnaire Marketplace holiday market showcases businesses who do not have a storefront and/or a large team.  They assist the entrepreneurs in promoting and selling their products and services. When you visit the holiday market shoppers will find apparel, handcrafted jewelry, signature cotton candy, popcorn books, toys, accessories, candles plus much more.

This weekend, the cast of ‘The Soul of Christmas”, a production of Rush Trowel will be in the marketplace performing.  We invite you to come out shop and enjoy some great entertainment by one of Louisville’s premiere entertainment producers. 

We will also have youth from our future MELANnaire Mentor Program job shadowing as greeters.  Trabue says “We train and help develop job skills at a young age to instill in them the importance of work ethic and how to make money which in turn decreases violence in the community.  We are keeping them busy and showing them opportunities and introducing them to positive role models exceling right here in our community.”

Nachand Trabue founder of MELANnaire Marketplace says “We are happy to be able to organize a group of businesses who want exposure and an opportunity to sell their products in a mall setting.  Every week, we try and do something unique to give our shoppers a great MELANnaire experience and we are excited to have some of the cast members from ‘Soul of Christmas’ joining us.  They will definitely put you in the holiday spirit.” 

The MELANnaire Marketplace Holiday Market will be open every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until January 2, 2024.  Our store hours are open on the same schedule as Mall St. Matthews.

The marketplace is located near the entrance of El Nopal and Women’s Dillards on the backside of the mall. 

If you would like to be a vendor and/or be a sponsor, please contact MELANnaire Marketplace at www.melannaire.com.   

Please announce and/or post on your community calendars.  If you have any questions or would like to interview Nachand Trabue, please contact VIPP Communications at 502-341-7306.

“Where Black Businesses Matter”

Follow us on social media and take photos using the following hashtags so we can share your experience #MELANnairesLou, #BLACKbusinessesMatterLOU & #MELANnaireMarketplace.

Instagram:  @melannairemarketplace

MELANnaire Marketplace holiday marketplace preparing for ‘Black Friday’ and ‘Small Business Saturday’

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(Louisville, KY) As we prepare for Thanksgiving, the MELANnaire Marketplace Holiday Market team is working to get ready for one of the busiest days for consumers and that’s ‘Black Friday’ and the following day dedicated for small business which we refer to as ‘Black-owned Saturday’. 

The MELANnaire Marketplace Holiday Market is in third week at Mall St. Matthews and have welcomed so many friends, family, neighbors, and supporters into the storefront where dozens of Black-owned businesses sell and promote their products and/or services. 

“Now with two of the busiest shopping days ahead of us, vendors are stocking up with the anticipation and excited that they have an opportunity to participate at this level.  In a mall, a storefront, and the assistance of the MELANnaire team.  We are inviting shoppers to stop by our retail space to see the wonderful and unique gift ideas.  You will find yourself with an arm full of merchandise.  It’s basically a mall within a mall because except few feet a new business is represented says Nachand Trabue, founder of MELANnaire Marketplace. 

The holiday market displays dozens of local minority businesses all in one space so holiday shoppers can get an opportunity to support multiple small businesses at one large retail space. Featuring products- clothing apparel, handcrafted jewelry, signature cotton candy, popcorn books, toys, candles plus
much more.

The MELANnaire Marketplace Holiday Market will be open every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until January 2, 2024.  Our store hours are open on the same schedule as Mall St. Matthews.

The marketplace is located near the entrance of El Napal and Women’s Dillards on the backside of the mall. 

If you would like to be a vendor and/or be a sponsor, please contact MELANnaire Marketplace at www.melannaire.com. 
 

Please announce and/or post on your community calendars.  If you have any questions or would like to interview Nachand Trabue, please contact VIPP Communications at 502-341-7306.

“Where Black Businesses Matter”

Follow us on social media and take photos using the following hashtags so we
can share your experience #MELANnairesLou, #BLACKbusinessesMatterLOU
& #MELANnaireMarketplace.

Instagram:  @melannairemarketplace

MELANnaire Marketplace holiday marketplace heads into its second weekend at Mall St. Matthews

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(Louisville, KY) The MELANnaire Marketplace Holiday Market is in its second week, and we are receiving rave reviews from the layout of the storefront to the quality of the merchandise from its MELANnaires. 

We invite you to stop by as the mall traffic begins to pick up as we anticipate a busy ‘Black Friday”.  The marketplace displays dozens of local minority businesses all in one space so holiday shoppers can get an opportunity to support multiple small businesses at one large retail space. This week we will have some new products- clothing apparel, handcrafted jewelry, signature cotton candy, popcorn books, toys, candles and so much.

Nachand Trabue, founder of MELANnaire Marketplace says “The first weekend was successful for our entrepreneurs.  It’s hard to have a storefront during the holidays but we are honored to be a vessel, a liaison to be able to organize all the businesses to work together and to see customers come in purchase their items is truly a blessing.  We have gift ideas for all ages, and we invite you to stop by and see the fantastic selections,”

The MELANnaire Marketplace Holiday Market will be open every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until January 2, 2024.  Our store hours are open on the same schedule as Mall St. Matthews. We call every Friday “Black Owned Friday”.

The marketplace is located near the entrance of El Napal and Women’s Dillards on the backside of the mall. 

If you would like to be a vendor and/or be a sponsor, please contact MELANnaire Marketplace at www.melannaire.com.   

Please announce and/or post on your community calendars.  If you have any questions or would like to interview Nachand Trabue, please contact VIPP Communications at 502-341-7306.

“Where Black Businesses Matter”

Follow us on social media and take photos using the following hashtags so we can share your experience #MELANnairesLou, #BLACKbusinessesMatterLOU & #MELANnaireMarketplace.

Instagram:  @melannairemarketplace

MELANnaire Marketplace opens holiday marketplace in Mall St. Matthews

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Ribbon-cutting this Friday at 11:00 a.m.

(Louisville, KY) The MELANnaire Marketplace invites you to the ribbon cutting and grand opening of our holiday market on Friday, November 10th at 11:00 a.m. The marketplace will display dozens of local minority businesses all in one space so holiday shoppers can get an opportunity to support multiple small businesses at one large retail space.

At the ribbon cutting you will get the opportunity to meet many of the business owners, and supporters of the MELANnaire Marketplace.  Our confirmed speakers are Dr. F. Bruce Williams of Bates Memorial Church and our partners Dave Christopher, ED with AMPED and Cassandra Webb, Director of Russell: Place of Promise. 

The marketplace will remain open every weekend until January 2, 2024.  The founder of the MELANnaire Marketplace Nachand Trabue says, “Every year we continue to grow in ways I never thought was possible.  When you walk into our storefront there will be displays showcasing Black-owned businesses and their merchandise and/or product.  It’s going to be a mall within a mall.  Each providing unique gift ideas.  I can’t wait for you to stop by and see what the businesses have to offer. This has been truly a labor of love and that’s what entrepreneurship is all about and we at MELANnaire Marketplace are excited about being a part of their journey

According to Louisville Metro Government, Blacks make up 23.4% of the population, and makeup 2.4% when it comes to owning a business.  The MELANnaire Marketplace is working to better that statistic by finding entrepreneurs who have great concepts, and/or products but not the revenue to sustain storefronts and/or full-time staff. 

Each weekend there will be special activities from a trunk show to meeting special guests and giveaways to complete your shopping experience.  The MELANnaire experience will be surrounded by over 130 stores, multi-media cinema and multiple culinary dining options.  

The marketplace is located near the entrance of El Napal and Women’s Dillards on the backside of the mall.  We will be open every weekend from 11-10-2023 to 1-2-2024. 

If you would like to be a vendor and/or be a sponsor, please contact MELANnaire Marketplace at www.melannaire.com.   

Please announce and/or post on your community calendars.  If you have any questions or would like to interview Nachand Trabue, please contact VIPP Communications at 502-341-7306.

“Where Black Businesses Matter”

Follow us on social media and take photos using the following hashtags so we can share your experience #MELANnairesLou, #BLACKbusinessesMatterLOU & #MELANnaireMarketplace.

Instagram:  @melannairemarketplace

The VIPP Report: MELANnaire Marketplace Holiday Shopping Extravaganza continues this weekend for the ultimate shopping experience

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(Louisville, KY) The MELANnaire Marketplace’s Galleria REMIX Holiday Shopping Extravaganza continues this Saturday, December 11th at Fourth Street Live indoors located at 416 W. Liberty Street, in downtown Louisville from 12pm to 6pm.

Shoppers get a chance to support Black-owned businesses who have everything from daily essentials to that unique and one-of-a-kind gift items that will be a great gift for the holidays.   

Here’s schedule for the Galleria Remix Holiday Shopping Extravaganza:

  • December 11th
  • December 18th

There will also be live entertainment, pictures with Santa and food vendors. If you would like to be a vendor, contact us at blackbusinessesmatter502@gmail.com.

If you are looking to do a profile on MELANnaire Marketplace founder Nachand Trabue and/or any of the vendors, we invite you to come out and hear the stories.

To learn more about MELANnaire Marketplace visit our website at www.melannaire.com.  

Please announce and/or post on your community calendars.

“Where Black Businesses Matter”

The VIPP Report: MELANnaire Marketplace takes you down memory lane with a Galleria Remix on Black Friday

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(Louisville, KY) Did you know that downtown Louisville once had a mall visited by thousands on the property where Fourth Street Live resides today?  Families gathered, downtown employees would shop and eat lunch there and guests into Louisville picked up souvenirs and last-minute items they forgot at home.  The MELANnaire Marketplace wants to recreate that feeling of support in community and its businesses by hosting the Galleria Remix Shopping Extravaganza on Friday, November 26th (Black Friday) and Saturday, November 27th from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm at Fourth Street Live indoors located at 416 W. Liberty Street, in the heart of downtown Louisville. 

As you begin to shop for your holiday gifts, we invite you to stop by and support Black-owned businesses who have a large array of products and services from bath & body, clothing, handcrafted jewelry, artwork, and fresh baked goods plus much more. 

The founder of the MELANnaire Marketplace, Nachand Trabue says “We have been planning and working out the logistics for this for months.  We are excited to have customers ‘Buy Black on Black Friday’.  We celebrate the partnerships we are developing with other minority businesses to start the process of having something to pass down to our next generation.  If you ever shopped at the Galleria, you would understand our concept.  Being a one-stop shop for the community.  We have even extended our hours to accommodate everyone who wants to shop with us.

 If you are looking to do a profile on Trabue and/or any of the vendors, we invite you to come out and hear the stories. If you would like to be a vendor and/or be a sponsor, please contact MELANnaire Marketplace at www.melannaire.com.   Please announce and/or post on your community calendars.  If you have any questions, please contact us at blackbusinessesmatter502@gmail.com.

“Where Black Businesses Matter”

Follow us on social media and take photos using the following hashtags so we can share your experience #MELANnairesLou, #BLACKbusinessesMatterLOU & #MELANnaireMarketplace.

Instagram:  @melannairemarketplace

VIPP Communications is a full service public relations, event management and production firm headquartered in Louisville, KY with clients and/or projects all over the U.S. We can create, maintain and sustain your brand.  Our clientele range from small businesses, non-profits, corporate leaders, entertainment to current and retired professional athletes.  Contact one of our team members to see how we can assist you at info at vippcommunications dot com.  www.vippcommunications.com

MELANnaire Marketplace where local is the new Black

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(Louisville, KY) The MELANnaire Marketplace will take place this Saturday, (November 6th) from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm at Manhattan on Broadway located at 716 E. Broadway. As you begin to shop for holiday gifts, why not shop local? Shoppers have an opportunity to walk around purchase items from books by local authors, clothing, candles, natural health products to hand crafted jewelry. We are excited to announce that we have brokered a deal to have gently used items for sale. Come out and support local entrepreneurs because “Local is the new Black”.

Nachand Trabue, founder of the MELANnaire Marketplace says “we are gearing up for the holidays and vendors are adding daily. Our Black businesses matter, and I get so excited each week to see new faces come out to support us. We also working with a company to be able to offer likely used home goods to clothing. Truly really put us in a category that gives us a chance to offer products and goods to anyone. I invite you to come out and see the marketplace and hear the stories of our local entrepreneurs and what they have to offer.”

If you are looking to do a profile on Trabue and/or any of the vendors, we invite you to come out and hear the stories.

WHO: MELANnaire Marketplace

WHAT: Shopping with Black-owned businesses

WHEN: Saturday, November 6th from 12:00pm-5:00pm

WHERE: Manhattan on Broadway, 716 E. Broadway

WHY: Creating a marketplace in downtown Louisville for residents & tourists to easily get too.

If you would like to be a vendor and/or be a sponsor, please contact MELANnaire Marketplace at http://www.melannaire.com. Please announce and/or post on your community calendars. If you have any questions, please contact VIPP Communications at 502-341-7306.

“Where Black Businesses Matter”

Follow us on social media and take photos using the following hashtags so we can share your experience #MELANnairesLou, #BLACKbusinessesMatterLOU & #MELANnaireMarketplace.

Instagram: @melannairemarketplace

The VIPP Report: MELANnaire Marketplace heads to the Russell neighborhood showcasing Black-owned businesses in a pop-up mall

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Founder, Nachand Trabue will be honored in an awards ceremony

(Louisville, KY) The MELANnaire Marketplace and Old Walnut Street presents the Black Walnut Marketplace with a pop-up mall as part of West Louisville’s 5th Annual Economic Mobility Summit. It will be held on Friday, October 22nd at the Louisville Central Community Center, 1300 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd. The pop-up mall opens at 12:00pm and closes at 9:00pm.


The summit will also recognize six Louisville entrepreneurs with the inaugural Sam Watkins Jr. ‘Light the Way’ Awards Ceremony where MELANnaire Marketplace founder Nachand Trabue will be honored for entrepreneurial excellence. The program is scheduled to begin at 6:00pm.


Trabue says “This is a true honor to be recognized by my peers. I have tried to find ways not only be a successful entrepreneur but to assist other Black-owned businesses find a way to promote and sell their products and services. Entrepreneurship as we’ve learned is a labor of love. So, many have had to close their doors over the past two years while some decided to make a career change and open a business. I try each and every week to give businesses a place where we can work together as a community to generate wealth. I’m truly humbled to be recognized along with the other recipients.”


If you would like to be a vendor and/or be a sponsor, please contact MELANnaire Marketplace at http://www.melannaire.com.
Please announce and/or post on your community calendars.


“Where Black Businesses Matter”
Follow us on social media and take photos using the following hashtags so we can share your experience #MELANnairesLou, #BLACKbusinessesMatterLOU & #MELANnaireMarketplace.
Instagram: @melannairemarketplace

The VIPP Report: MELANnaire Marketplace celebrates one-year anniversary Labor Day Weekend

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Immediate Release:

August 29, 2021

(Louisville, KY) During one of the toughest times in the City of Louisville a group of business owners found a way to support themselves. From the pandemic to the social unrest that spilled into the streets due to the Breonna Taylor case and other cases across the nation. One community leader and entrepreneur Nachand Trabue, owner of Manhattan on Broadway rallied area businesses to work together to generate wealth in the Black community. 

Now, the MELANnaire Marketplace invites you to come out and celebrate it’s one-year anniversary on Saturday, September 4th from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm at Manhattan on Broadway located at 716 E. Broadway.

The MELANnaire Marketplace showcases products and services of Black-owned businesses.  Many of the entrepreneurs do not have the capital for storefronts or office space so this marketplace is critical for their growth, and it puts them in front of consumers, both local and tourist looking for shopping opportunities in downtown Louisville. 

According to local census, only 2.4% of businesses are Black owned while they make up 22.4% of the population.  That’s why are requesting your support as consumer and/or sponsor.   

When you visit the marketplace you will see all type of vendors from homemade pet treats, artwork, clothing, accessories to soul food and healthy food options and produce. 

There will be a live DJ and band playing throughout the event.

The founder and creator of the MELANnaire Marketplace Nachand Trabue says “This was birthed out of love for community and to see other Black-owned businesses reach their ultimate potential.  We are literally sitting in a food desert, and no one is coming to the aide of the residents in the Smoketown and downtown residents.  We had an urgent need, so I contacted businesses and we all agreed that we needed to help ourselves instead of waiting on someone to help us.  

Over this past year, we have had people from all over the city and surrounding communities come out and support us.  This is truly a community effort.  I just feel so blessed to be able to spearhead the initiative. I had no idea that when we started that the MELANnaire Marketplace would become so important in the community. That’s a testament for the need and the quality service our businesses bring to the table.” 

We would like to thank all the Black-owned businesses, sponsors, and community leaders who have participated and supported us over the past year.  We look forward to the next year. 

We currently have more than 30 local businesses participating on Saturday, September 4th:

We invite you to stop by and see what the entrepreneurs have to offer.

If you would like to be a vendor and/or be a sponsor, please contact MELANnaire Marketplace at www.melannaire.com.   Please announce and/or post on your community calendars.  If you have any questions, please contact VIPP Communications at 502-341-7306.

“Where Black Businesses Matter”

Follow us on social media and take photos using the following hashtags so we can share your experience #MELANnairesLou, #BLACKbusinessesMatterLOU & #MELANnaireMarketplace.

Instagram:  @melannairemarketplace

The VIPP Report: MELANnaire Marketplace Schedule of Events

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MELANnaire Marketplace

The MELANnaire Marketplace takes place every Saturday in Louisville, KY.  Alternating between Manhattan on Broadway located at 716 East Broadway from 12pm to 5pm in the Smoketown neighborhood and Fourth Street Live from 12pm to 6pm in the downtown business district.  We will also move the marketplace where there’s a need. 

Here’s our latest schedule:

Saturday, August 28th – Manhattan on Broadway

Saturday, September 4th – Manhattan on Broadway (One year anniversary)

Saturday, September 11th– We will be at Finzer & Preston Streets (outdoors) In partnership with the Smoketown Festival and Black Wealth Week

Saturday, September 18th– Fourth Street Live

 If you would like to be a vendor and/or be a sponsor, please contact MELANnaire Marketplace at www.melannaire.com.   

Please announce and/or post on your community calendars.  If you have any questions, please contact VIPP Communications at info@vippcommunications.com and/or by calling 502-341-7306.

“Where Black Businesses Matter”

Follow us on social media and take photos using the following hashtags so we can share your experience #MELANnairesLou, #BLACKbusinessesMatterLOU & #MELANnaireMarketplace.

Instagram:  @melannairemarketplace