Year One Recap of the Lee C. Bollinger Forum’s Local Small Business Pop-Up Market

Since March, the program has hosted 37 vendors, providing a platform for local entrepreneurs to reach new audiences within the Columbia and surrounding Uptown communities. This year-long effort culminated in a three-week holiday market in December.

January 16, 2026

Columbia University Event Management continued its commitment to the local community in 2025 through its Small Business Pop-Up Market initiative at the Lee C. Bollinger Forum, a public-facing campus space designed to foster connection. Launched last spring, the initiative offers an exclusive retail opportunity for NYC–based small businesses specializing in upcycled or newly constructed sustainable apparel, accessories, and other locally crafted goods. With 37 vendors and counting, the team looks forward to hosting more pop-ups in the coming year. 

The initiative reached a major milestone in December with the Bollinger Forum’s inaugural Holiday Market: a month-long, rotating pop-up that transformed the Bollinger Forum’s atrium into a vibrant seasonal marketplace. From December 1 to 19, the Holiday Market invited neighbors, students, faculty, staff, and visitors to shop local and discover thoughtfully made gifts from statement jewelry and sustainable fashion to artisanal foods and Harlem-inspired home goods.  

Participating vendors included Couleurs NY, Reprise Activewear, Framiati, Rouge Hoops, Jillian Trumpet Creative, Bambrey Street Creations, The 125 Collection, K’s European Jams, Botanical Moment, Woofcessories, and many others, with offerings changing throughout the month. On Fridays, shoppers were welcomed with complimentary treats and hot chocolate, adding to the festive atmosphere. 

“I had a great experience as a vendor at the Christmas market. The festive ambiance, thoughtful details like music and snacks, and overall organization created a welcoming environment for both vendors and shoppers. I would be happy to participate again.”

The Holiday Market served as a natural extension of the Bollinger Forum’s year-round support of local makers. Since it began, vendors participating in Columbia’s Small Business Pop-Up Market series have earned over $11,000 from their solo pop-up events—an encouraging indicator of the program’s impact. 

The success of the Holiday Market resonated well beyond campus, earning coverage in several local and citywide publications, including Time Out New York, Amsterdam News, Harlem One Stop, Harlem Patch, West Side Rag, and more. Together, the ongoing pop-up series and the inaugural Holiday Market highlight the Bollinger Forum’s role in illuminating the innovation, talent, and entrepreneurial spirit of the local community while reinforcing its mission as a space for connection.

“As a vendor, I have personally experienced the difficulty of selling products at outdoor markets during the winter months. Being at the Bollinger Forum in such a clean, well-maintained indoor space alone made this market a no-brainer for us. Plus, getting to meet members of the Harlem community along with Columbia students, staff, and faculty definitely helped us spread the word about our product to new customers.” 

Visit the Bollinger Forum’s event page to stay up to date on upcoming pop-up events and more. 

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