Black Friday Market Returns to Truman Waterfront Park, Boosts Local Makers

Organizers announced on November 21 that the Black Friday Shopping Extravaganza will return to Truman Waterfront Park on Friday, November 28, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The event is presented by the Key West Artisan Market and the Truman Waterfront Farmers Market, and it will feature Conch Republic themed merchandise, original art, clothing, jewelry, plants and prepared foods. The announcement said details about parking, free market bags and participating organizations were provided to help visitors plan their trips to the waterfront market.

For Monroe County residents the event is more than seasonal retail. It is a concentrated opportunity to channel holiday dollars to local makers and small businesses that depend on a short selling season and steady tourist traffic. Revenue from markets like this contributes to household stability for vendors, preserves local craft traditions and helps maintain the small business fabric that underpins Key West neighborhoods. For workers and owners of micro enterprises who often operate on thin margins, these one day and weekend events can represent meaningful income and exposure going into the slow season.

Public health and access considerations matter as well. The market is set outdoors at Truman Waterfront Park, which lowers the risks associated with respiratory illness transmission compared to indoor gatherings. At the same time outdoor events can draw large crowds, and attendees should plan for transportation and parking, accessibility needs and safe routes for families and older residents. The organizers provided logistical information in their announcement to reduce congestion and improve the experience for visitors and vendors alike.

From a health equity perspective, supporting locally owned vendors can have ripple effects on social determinants of health in Monroe County. Strong local businesses contribute to job opportunities and community wealth that translate into better housing stability and access to services. Ensuring that markets are accessible to vendors of diverse backgrounds, that vendor fees do not exclude small scale entrepreneurs and that the event is navigable for people with disabilities will determine whether the benefits reach the broadest possible group of residents.

City and county agencies that oversee permits, transportation and public safety play a role in shaping whether markets like this support community resilience or strain local infrastructure. As holiday markets return to public spaces across Monroe County, aligning event planning with public health guidance and equity focused policies can help ensure that seasonal commerce strengthens, rather than divides, the communities it intends to serve.