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The Longest Running Indoor Holiday Fair Returns to New York City for Six Weeks Beginning November 12

October 17, 2018

The Grand Central Holiday Fair Features Locally Crafted and Handmade Gifts for the Whole Family – Pets Included!

Internationally known as a must-see destination in New York City, approximately 1 million people visit iconic Grand Central Terminal each day during the holidays to experience an array of indoor shopping, dining, and events. At the forefront of that experience is the spectacular annual Grand Central Holiday Fair, which returns for six weeks Monday, November 12. The Grand Central Holiday Fair is the longest running indoor holiday market in the city since it opened its doors to shoppers to escape the cold in 1993.

A shopper’s paradise, the fair is a way for neighbors, commuters, and tourists to check off all the items on their gift lists under the beautiful Beaux Arts architecture and chandeliers, and in the warmth of Vanderbilt Hall. Holiday Fair organizers make a concerted effort to present unique and local craftsmanship with a focus on American-made and handmade products with locally sourced materials or a socially conscious business model. Artisans will sell a diverse mix of items, including men’s and women’s accessories, pet products, photography, clothing, holiday ornaments, bath and body items, products for the home, and other locally made and handcrafted goods across 40 booths. The Grand Central Holiday Fair has proven successful for both shoppers and participating vendors with its history of helping businesses expand their audiences, customer bases, and footprints.

A handful of the fair vendors are new to the special Grand Central holiday experience:

• Ariana Boussard-Reifel – Born from a desire to merge her background in sculpture and her passion for collecting tribal and ethnographic artifacts, Ariana’s eponymous jewelry line has been featured in Vogue, was worn by Beyoncé during her 2017 Grammy Awards performance, and has appeared on a half dozen magazine covers. Ariana’s substantial sterling silver, brass, and bronze jewelry is organic in form, inspired by ancient tradition, and reinterpreted for modern life, all produced ethically and by hand in New York City’s Diamond District and finished in Ariana’s Brooklyn studio.
• Harlem Candle Co. – This luxury home fragrance company specializes in scented soy candles. All of the products are inspired by the richness of Harlem, specifically during the Harlem Renaissance period. The design, packaging, and scents pay homage to Harlem’s rich cultural history, jazz legends, and iconic places. Products include 4 oz travel size candles, 12 oz large candles, room sprays, reed diffusers, hand soap, hand lotion, greeting cards, and candle accessories.
• Lara B. Designs – All handmade in the U.S., Lara B. Designs transforms buttery, soft leathers into beautifully handcrafted handbags and accessories. The designer’s inspirations come from traveling the world. The leather is cut by hand, then lightly adhered using an eco-friendly glue, and sewn. Finishing details include hand-cut fringe, zipper pulls, and straps.
• Lisa Kiss Scarves – The Sag Harbor, N.Y.-based designer uses an ancient Japanese technique of hanging the fabric with Harite and Shinshi bars to stretch the fabric in mid-air like a hammock. She then hand paints silks, velvets, and other fabrics to create scarves and pillows.
• New York Makers – The owners of New York Makers handpick and deliver a curated collection of goods that are as holistically “New York” as possible, such as products that are crafted or designed by a New Yorker and products that are grown or otherwise made from New York-based materials. New York Makers will sell products for men, pets, children, and women, as well as food and home goods.
• Vale Jewelry – Vale creates handcrafted fine jewelry incorporating diamonds, precious stones, and 14K and 18K gold. Every piece is designed and made fully in New York City by two designers and their small team of craft artisans. The line has been worn by Kelly Ripa and Sarah Jessica Parker, and styled for current television and Broadway shows.

The Holiday Fair runs November 12 through December 24. It is open Monday through Friday, 10am to 8pm; Saturdays, 10am to 7pm; and Sundays, 11am to 6pm, except for the following days and times: closed Thanksgiving, and open 10am to 6pm Monday, December 24.

The fair is just one aspect of what the Terminal has to offer during the holiday season as Grand Central has more than 100 shops and restaurants for visitors to enjoy, offering a unique opportunity for shoppers to dine and shop elsewhere in the Terminal before and after their Holiday Fair experience. In addition, the Terminal is spreading the holiday cheer in several ways, including the annual Thanksgiving Market on Wednesday, November 21, as well as complimentary gift wrapping services during the week leading up to Christmas.

For more information and to stay up-to-date with the Grand Central Holiday Fair and vendors, please visit www.grandcentralterminal.com and follow Grand Central Terminal on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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About Grand Central Terminal:
MTA Metro-North Railroad is the steward of Grand Central Terminal, which stands as one of America’s greatest transportation hubs and one of New York City’s most iconic buildings. It is both a national landmark and an international example of the success that can be achieved giving new life to a historic building that otherwise may have been destroyed. The Grand Central brand reflects the remarkable caliber of services in the Terminal, including boutique restaurants and cocktail lounges, a gourmet market, and many specialty shops. It draws more than 750,000 national and international visitors each day and wows them with its varied offerings and tour programs. Storied Vanderbilt Hall, once the waiting room for long-distance travelers, is among the most-desired public event spaces in the city.

Media Contact:
To set up interviews and to receive images, video, and more information, please contact Goodman Media for Grand Central Terminal, 212-576-2700, GCT@goodmanmedia.com.