Would you bring your kids to a holiday craft fair boasting over a folk-rock super group and free beer? It may sound like an event targeted at a different crowd, but Philadelphia Independent Craft Market founder Julie Raboczi says to bring the kids to this year’s Famous Holiday Show at York Street’s 2424 Studios.

 

Raboczi, 39, is a parent herself. She’s married with three kids aged 11, 15 and 18. Her main gig is bartending at The Fire on 4^th and Girard and she’s not just there to earn a few bucks. She’s the kind of beloved city bartender people check on just to make sure she’s holding up after hearing about an illness in her family. She remembers patrons names and jokes with them, calling them “patients” and telling them to take two shots of whisky and call her in the morning.

 

But her passion is in crafting. Personally, Raboczi makes handmade jewelry, silk screens on wood and vintage-style Afghans. She can be seen at almost of the city’s many D-I-Y (that’s do-it-yourself) events: Art Star, The Punk Rock Flea Market, Northern Liberties’s Phreak N' Queer Festival, etc. There are currently enough craft fairs in Philadelphia to keep shoppers busy every month. That’s not how it always was.

 

“At the time when I started it was to fill a void for indie music and art,” Roboczi explains. “I felt like there weren’t any opportunities at the time. Now, the city is flourishing with opportunities. There’re shows every weekend now and indie venues too, but I still feel like [The Philadelphia Independent Craft Market's Famous Holiday Show]

has it’s own unique vibe and something I want to hold onto every year.”

 

When asked if she thinks handing out free beers will drive parents away, Raboczi shakes her head.

 

“Who needs beer more than parents,” she shrugs, smiling coyly. Thinking for a moment, she expounds.

 

“No, this is Fishtown, who doesn’t want to shop and have a beer at the same time? It’s the anti-mall, I’m creating the anti-mall experience where your kid doesn’t just have their hand out the whole time. You get to relax and be inspired and listen to music. It’s got a very diverse crowd and it builds community. And beer always makes everything better.”

 

Two local folk music heroes, Hezekiah Jones and The Spinning Leaves, will be joining forces for a rare performance of their collaborative album “Hezekiah Leaves and the Spinning Joneses.” Raboczi met Spinning Leaves singer Michael Baker five years ago at that year’s Famous Holiday Show. Since then, The Spinning Leaves have built a national following. Sisters 3, The Great Unkown, and Levee Drivers will also be performing.

 

Booking bands, scheduling spaces, collecting table fees, contacting sponsors and promoting the show is enough work to keep a whole team busy. Raboczi doesn’t have a whole team, just a few reliable friends and some loyal children.

 

“There’s always one of my kids helping out at the door,” she boasts.

 

The increase in craft markets (and groups like R5 productions who host the popular Punk Rock Flea Market) hasn’t deterred her.

 

“I sold at the Punk Rock Flea Market for seven years almost every singe one. It’s an inspiration. I strive for my show to be more comfortable. Once people have had the anti-mall experience, they’re more willing to give it a chance and continue with it. It all helps with each other. It’s a more satisfying and meaningful shopping experience. This is how we’re supposed to be spending our money: helping each other. It’s so much nicer to buy something from the person who made it.”