After a long break from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, Queen’s English is back with another holiday market, this time marking the upcoming Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day weekend. The 11th Street Hong Kong-style eatery has teamed up with local artist and small business owner Caitlin O’Keefe Tuttle to bring a range of artisans and businesses to the corridor this Saturday and Sunday.
Photo and poster by Caitlin O’Keefe Tuttle
“It’s so important to support local restaurants and makers right now,” says Tuttle. When the couple moved to Columbia Heights this past May, they were excited to meet the minds behind Queen’s English and become involved with planning the markets in front of the restaurant.
“Well the biggest inspiration… is that Sarah and Henji of [Queen’s English] reached out saying they wanted to organize a Chinese New Year market,” says Tuttle. The Columbia Heights-based artist responded to the request enthusiastically and immediately began planning. “I also work full time with FRESHFARM, so [I] feel comfortable hosting and organizing markets, and doing it safely,” she says.
Alongside her art business (check out her work on Instagram @oktuttle), Tuttle and her husband share a plant business, PLNTR, which will be one of the featured pop-ups at the market. “Other makers joining our lineup are Sauce City, Underground Goods, Enica’s Essentials, Made with Koi, Right Proper, Birch and Clay, Roots and Rivers, McQueen Ceramics, Clay and Honey, and more,” says Tuttle, with more vendors to be announced. With Tuttle and her husband being entrusted with the “lion’s share of organizing,” the couple aims to help provide an avenue for other entrepreneurs to get their work into the hands of their neighbors.
Queen’s English echoes Tuttle’s goals and shared with us that, “The inspiration behind the market is to help other small businesses [and]vendors, and provide a little entertainment to 11th Street.”
You can check out the Chinese New Year Market this weekend, February 13th & 14th, from noon to 5pm along the sidewalk in front of Queen’s English (3410 11th St NW). Along with hosting local vendors, Queen’s English will also be slinging their housemade upcycled candles, and serving up Chinese street food and cocktails to-go.
