Update on 2020 plans

Dear Toronto Etsy Team,

We hope you’re all doing well, and staying safe and healthy. We wanted to give you a little update on our 2020 plans. Our first concern this year was that our volunteer team was understaffed, but now the coronavirus pandemic is everyone's biggest concern. The current best advice to keep communities safe is to avoid large gatherings and the safety of our community is the most important thing. We have not yet made any announcements or vendor calls for 2020. We have decided that we will not host our annual Spring Marketplace this year. 

We have yet to make a decision about other yearly events. It may be that we will not be able to host other events either. We are going to put off that decision as long as we can. With time we will be able to make better informed decisions. We exist as a team to help members connect with each other and shoppers, and to help grow local handmade and vintage Etsy sellers’ businesses, so we want to be hosting our events! But, if we need to take a hiatus, we will.

We’re going to use this break to regroup. We’re going to post some job descriptions soon of volunteer posts we’re hoping to fill for the future. We hope you’ll have a look and consider taking part so we’re able to come back stronger with great events in the future!

We know that this is a challenging time for artists, makers and small business people, and that missing markets means a financial hit. Please feel welcome to join online conversations and connect with our team; we can commiserate, brainstorm or just be a community support line while you practise social distancing. The most active online team communications at this time are on our private FB group. 

With best wishes from the Toronto Etsy Street Team leaders! 

Take care!