Time Out Market in Fenway was filled with more than just delicious food on Friday. The food hall hosted a Spring is Queer event, the first in a series of monthly pop-ups.
“There’s massive diversity to this community. People ask me all the time, ‘What’s your demographic?’ Our demographic is everyone,” said Michael Minicello, general manager of Time Out Market.
This particular market was organized by an art shop based in Revere, Planning With A Scorpio, which is owned by a queer Puerto Rican couple. They help to host several artisan-focused pop-up markets across greater Boston.
Vendors selling everything from soap to pottery were set up just inside the front doors, easily visible and accessible to patrons. Many of the goods and wares, as well as the accompanying drag queen bingo performance, highlight the LGBTQ+ community, striving to put a spotlight on queer artists and performers.
Kelly Jin is the owner, illustrator, and designer of Koobie Mart, a personal art business. At her pop-up, she sold stickers and small art prints.
“I’ve loved art since I was a kid, so [opening Koobie Mart] just seemed like the logical next step,” Jin said.
Having previously worked with the Spring is Queer Market’s organizer, Jin said that the most important part of this particular pop-up was how it creates a safe space for guests and vendors alike.
“I think it brings similar people together,” Jin said. “People feel safe and happy and [a part of a community] as they walk through … It just has that nice vibe of feeling like you belong.”
The sense of togetherness is further solidified by Time Out Market’s layout, which serves to encourage community-building with bar-style seating and long tables that promote chatting with your neighbor over a drink or plate of food.
The open food and drink stalls that outline the large hall, most of which face inwards towards the seating, allow you to mix and match your meal to your heart’s content. Smells of barbeque, tacos, dumplings, and more, all mix and mingle underneath the high ceilings. With this range of cuisines, Time Out Market aims to highlight diversity and serve the community through local food and drink, something that extends to Spring is Queer.
In addition to offering over 15 food and drink options, each restaurant highlighted is local to Boston. When it comes to the pop-up market, Minicello wanted it to reflect the same dedication to the community.
“This market specifically is very local … it’s really a great little startup that is just growing,” said Minicello. “For us, it’s important to support those things to help the community and help everyone grow.”
Like Jin, Minicello finds the connection aspect to be the most important part of the event.
“My favorite part is just being able to do this, being able to connect with the locals and bring people together,” Minicello said. “By doing this, we’re giving people an opportunity to come down to one area … and embrace the community and embrace the city.”
Time Out Boston is hosting three more Spring is Queer pop-ups on April 12 and May 3, from noon to 5 p.m. Admission is free, but those planning on attending should RSVP on the Market’s website before arriving.
