People sift through the Bomb Door venue to buy from vendors. (Zach Trabitz | Investigative News Editor)

Bustling commerce, delightful aromas, and hundreds of footsteps pattering on the ground. Sounds like a scene out of an alternative, bespoke art market in New York City, right?

But this was right in St. Louis during the 17th annual Print Bazaar on Cherokee Street on Dec. 8. More than 180 St. Louis artists sold prints, music, paintings, and other mediums of art. 

Per the Bazaar website, the event has existed for just over a decade. It formed out of an absence of a centralized event to showcase the range of printmaking talent in St. Louis. 

Now, the Bazaar happens yearly, with thousands of people from around St. Louis checking out the vendors.

Julia Pai, one of the vendors, said she started selling at the Bazaar in 2021. She said the Bazaar helped her learn more about Cherokee Street.

“Doing the Print Bazaar made me learn more about the business on Cherokee Street,” Pai said. “I’ve done other pop-ups in places like Tower Grove, but Cherokee Street has such a focus on the printmakers and such a density of artists that makes it stand out.”

Up and down Cherokee Street, a variety of locations were occupied by vendors. Some were in locations like The Luminary, The Golden Record, and pop-up locations like the Bomb Door venue. 

The event is organized by the Cherokee Street Foundation. This year, the Bazaar was sponsored by SWADE Cannabis Dispensary, the Pulitzer Arts Foundation, Logboat Brewing Co., and Betty’s Books. 

WashU students, such as senior Madeline Soh, attended the Bazaar during midday. Soh said she enjoyed the Bazaar giving out “passports,” where attendees could get stamps from different venues. 

“Shoutout Cherokee Street — I had so much fun,” Soh said. “Once I found out they were giving out passports and you could collect stamps, I was like, ‘I’m on a freaking mission.’… It was really cool to see local St. Louis artists. The vibes are really good.” 

Tamara Martinez, a senior at WashU, also enjoyed her time at the Bazaar and thought the people there were kind. 

“It was really lively,” Martinez said. “All of the attendees weren’t gatekeep-y. I saw someone with a really cool poster, and he was so open to telling me where he got it.”

Cherokee Street, one of St. Louis’ crown jewels, is known for its quirky vibes, beautiful antique stores, and vibrant art scene. There are a variety of galleries and other arts organizations hosted on the street, such as the aforementioned Luminary, which makes the street conducive to cultural events like the Bazaar.

Although Cherokee Street has enjoyed years of growth, there are concerns about gentrification: the process through which an influx of wealthier residents force out people already living in the area.

For Martinez, gentrification remained at the front of her mind. While she enjoys going to Cherokee street, she has noticed gentrification even within the four years of being a student at WashU. 

“Certain parts of Cherokee seemed really gentrified,” Martinez said. “One furniture store was selling stuff for thousands of dollars, right next to a bodega that was run by immigrants.” 

Despite these concerns, Lauren Wallace, a St. Louis resident, said she had a good time at the Bazaar.

“It was my first time coming [to the Bazaar],” Wallace said. “Parking wasn’t as bad as I expected, and it’s really great to get out and enjoy the city and see art.”

Wallace said that she enjoys going to arts events in St. Louis, and that the city often has a lot of cultural events to offer.

Musician and vendor Beth Bombara said that the Bazaar has been a great way to see old friends and enjoy community. 

“Since 11 o’clock [when the Bazaar begins], people start trickling in, and it’s been so busy ever since,” Bombara said. “I’ve been seeing people that I haven’t seen in a few years. [The Bazaar is] bringing the community together.” 

Rachel McCormick, a digital printmaker, said it was her first time selling at a market like the Bazaar.

“I’m having a great time, and it definitely makes me want to [sell at an art market] again,” McCormick said. “I think [that] it being the holidays makes [the Bazaar] a lot more successful — people are so nice and willing to buy.” 

Senior Phoebe Greenspan said that she liked being able to explore a large portion of Cherokee Street as she went through the Bazaar.

“I enjoyed how spread-out the event was,” Greenspan said. “I was able to learn about a new place in St. Louis and a lot of local small businesses in the area. Also, it was so interesting to see the art itself; each artist had a very unique style. I was able to purchase a print that I really love, and [I’m] happy I was able to support the artist.”

Senior Gabby Abato said the Bazaar was a great way to escape the “WashU bubble” and move away from campus and the general Delmar Loop area into St. Louis proper. 

“This was definitely outside the WashU bubble,” Abato said. “I feel like the bubble is really during your first two years, and your junior and senior years, it’s a lot easier to go out and do stuff. I’ve been to Cherokee once or twice as a sophomore, but now I go much more regularly.”

Vendors such as Pai were hopeful for the future of the Bazaar and enjoyed the confluence of artists on Cherokee. 

“I’m so grateful for the organizers that put this together,” Pai said. “I think it’s cool that the Bazaar is growing every year, and I hope it continues to do so. It’s great to see all these artists on Cherokee.”