A popular community market known for providing an affordable, memorable holiday season shopping experience returns to Monument next month.

The 29th annual Front Range Maker’s Market will be held Oct. 11-12 at Lewis Palmer High School. More than 140 artists, boutique owners, coffee and food vendors, and small business owners will be participating in the event.

The FRMM, known for its unique vendors and high-quality wares, provides shoppers with a one-of-a-kind shopping experience designed to cater to all budgets and styles. Body care, boutique clothing, candles, glass art, handbags, handmade-jewelry, home décor, photography, pottery, purses, women’s fashion and yard art are among the items that will be up for sale.

According to Event Coordinator Stephanie Barker, the market is a great way to shop and support local Colorado makers and small business owners this holiday season. The event started as a small holiday craft show with a few local fine artists in 1996, and since then has blossomed into a two-day event covering the entire first floor of LPHS.

“The FRMM mission is to gather people for a unique shopping experience, knowing that shopping small pours back into our local families and community,” Barker said. “Each vendor offers unique, one-of-a-kind items and all of our vendors are different, so there is always something for every style and budget.

“This is one of the best places to start holiday shopping. You’ll find vendors selling pottery, yard-art, body care, vintage and upscale items, boutique clothing, purses, bags, glass art, home decor, handmade jewelry, treats, goodies and more.”

The FRMM, an independent event company, has been holding this annual event at LPHS for more than a decade.

“There is a great value in outside companies/organizations like ours utilizing the school for outside events,” Barker said.

According to Barker, the “arts” have always had a large value in the Tri-Lakes/Monument area. However, the COVID-19 pandemic and economy forced many of these small businesses to close their doors in 2020 and beyond. This decision affected the future of many businesses who, as of this writing, have yet to fully recover from it.

“More and more makers, artists and small business owners are closing up shop because people are not choosing to purchase local goods,” Barker said.

All participating makers hail from Colorado or nearby states. Julie Neri, owner of Julie Neri Pottery, has been working in clay for three decades. Her pottery studio and business are located in Longmont, Colo., and her work is predominantly hand-built and fired in an electric kiln.

Another popular vendor, Pine Knot Wood Design, creates intricately handcrafted wood and epoxy designs that spark conversation, celebrate nature and make every space feel personal. Of special interest, the company owner is a local firefighter.

Also, Sak Sum is a ministry dedicated to prevention, restoration, transformation and rehabilitation of vulnerable and exploited Cambodian men and women. The company exists to help create a program with vocational training in sewing excellent products and providing community development.

“Shopping locally now remains more important than ever to keep our small business owners supported,” Barker said.