"With the pandemic, a lot of these makers rely on festivals and events and a lot of those aren’t happening, so because this is a farmers' market, we’re able to put it on. It’s really helped both us and a lot of the makers just keep their business going and keep the lights on," says Buffalo Artisan Food Traders owner Richard Fickhesen.

Buffalo Artisan Food Traders is hosting an Easter Market, which is helping with the local economy during a time when the economy is suffering because of the challenges accompanied by the COVID-19 pandemic.

"It’s all local vendors and all local products. We have Easter chocolates, butter lamb, horseradish," adds Fickhesen.

Some of the vendors featured, like Sitta’s Sweets, even came to be during the pandemic, born out of ingenuity and necessity.

"I’m a hairstylist by trade and I lost my job, so I went into survival mode and I thought, 'What can I do to make money, to make people happy, to do all those things?' My grandkids love candy, so we make the smash eggs. You smash them open and get lots of candy," explains Charlene Fadel, of Sitta’s Sweets. 

While some vendors are here to help the local economy while spreading Easter cheer, others are helping a good cause, like the vice president of a small animal rescue based in Buffalo and Jamestown.

"We’re here to sell Easter baskets. They include activities for children, candy, a picture of a recently-rescued bunny that we caught in North Tonawanda. We are selling these to help out with neutering of these bunnies so that they can be put up for adoption and helping kids understand that it’s a real responsibility," says Diane Aquila, Small Companion Advocacy Team vice president.

The common thread between all of the vendors is that they are coming together to help each other and the community

Buffalo Artisan Food Traders will continue holding the Easter Market with outdoor vendors next week. The event runs Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Bailey Avenue in Amherst.