HISTORY

New England Open Markets began in 2003 with the South End Open Market, and a dream. Throughout its 20 years as an organization, it has evolved into an invaluable resource to the small business community of New England.

In 2003, NEOM founder Chris Masci, freshly transported from New York City, missed his Sunday treks to NYC’s open air markets; the unique atmosphere and experience of an eclectic, open air artisan market. He decided to make it his goal to bring a similar experience to the Boston area, and set out to find a space where artisans and makers could gather in Boston. New England Open Markets started shortly thereafter in Boston’s South End neighborhood, nestled among the artist studios and galleries, with the South End Open Market.

At the time, weekly, open air artisans markets were a new concept for the area, and the handmade revolution was just beginning. Online platforms for small business were really non-existent at this point (Etsy wouldn’t be founded for another 2 years!) and the markets served as a home and launching point for hundreds of small businesses in those first few years, as they still do today.

As the seasons changed and the holidays approached, New England Open Markets started hosting holiday markets all across the region, which have become a long standing tradition as the weather gets cold.

More recently, NEOM has started a new yearly tradition of hosting LGBTQ+ Markets which center and celebrate queer makers and artists. As a gay owned and operated business, these markets are some of the most important and most special markets the organization hosts each year. Currently, there are two annual LGBTQ+ markets: the Big Gay Valentine Market hosted every February, and HollyGay hosted every December, with plans to add more queer markets throughout the year that celebrate the unique creativity and vibrancy of the queer community in New England.

Over the course of the past 20 years, the markets have grown and evolved to meet the needs of the growing number of vendors they serve. New England Open Markets has had many homes over the past two decades, from the South End to the Rose Kennedy Greenway in Boston, from Central Square in Cambridge to north of the city in Salem. 

NEOM currently calls Copley Square in Boston and Harvard Square in Cambridge home, with weekly open markets running from May - October. Most recently, NEOM has found another home in Plymouth, launching the Plymouth Arts Market along the historic waterfront. We are grateful to support over 140 small businesses weekly, and are excited for everything the future holds!