The 14th season of the Moscow Winter Market kicked off on Nov. 2 and will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays in the 1912 Center. The market will continue with the first two Saturdays in December, then have two final dates on Feb. 3 and March 3 of 2018.

The Winter Market was created by Heart of the Arts, Inc. in Moscow and features more than 30 local vendors. Each week, it brings in new artisans while maintaining a constant group of vendors selling perishables. Past handcrafted items include soaps, jewelry, books, and various art pieces, among other creations.

HAI was founded in 2002 as a local nonprofit to help renovate the historic 1912 Center. The city of Moscow previously had control of the project, but lacked enthusiasm in the renovation. Currently, HAI is working to restore the upper two floors.

Executive Director of HAI Jenny Kostroff explained that the market is in place to promote not only local business, but the 1912 Center as well.

“HAI decided to help showcase the facility by inviting some of the people from the farmer’s market to come do booths in the Great Room,” she said. “Back in the first seasons, we had maybe 12 vendors.”

The market has expanded considerably since then. Kostroff’s list now includes 95 vendors who she can cycle through so each market is different. Some artisans will be featured for the first time on the February and March market dates, as these vendors may have applied too late to be included in the holiday season.

Speaking of the February and March markets, Kostroff said that these dates serve a different purpose than those during the holidays.

“Before the holidays, you’re more likely to shop for someone else. After the holidays, you’re more likely to shop for you,” she said. “We all get stir-crazy in the winter, too. It’s another excuse to have something to do on the Palouse.”

During the Winter Market, HAI does tours of the upper floors at 11 a.m., noon, and 1 p.m. In February, there will also be a new art exhibit opening in the halls of the center that visitors of the market can walk through while shopping.

“We use arts to connect to the building because we think of the building as a piece of art itself,” said Kostroff. “It’s a historic feature in our region. Our architecture is a very important part of what makes this place unique.”

Kostroff will be putting up a Facebook page updating each market’s vendors.