2nd annual Austin Holiday Market showcases Black and Brown small businesses on Chicago's West Side

CHICAGO (CBS) -- This holiday season, there's a chance to shop local and to support diverse talent from all over the Chicago area.

The annual Austin Holiday Market opened Friday morning on the West Side, showcasing and supporting small Black- and Brown-owned businesses and nonprofits from around the city.

"If you haven't gotten your gifts yet, shop here, shop with a purpose, shop for a great cause," said Adam Alonso, CEO of BUILD, a youth development organization based in the Austin neighborhood that is hosting the market.

There's no shame in shopping for yourself when you feel that your dollar goes to people who deserve it.

Most of the business owners at the Austin Holiday Market at 5100 W. Harrison St. don't have brick and mortar locations, but for two days they set up shop inside BUILD's campus in Austin.

"We've invited small Black and Brown vendors, along with non-profit social enterprises, to come sell their goods, their products, and make some money for themselves," said BUILD CEO Adam Alonso.

The space is overflowing with the holiday spirit as well as the entrepreneurial spirit.

"I sold a couple of ponchos. I sold lots of earrings. I sold a couple of hats," said Shalas Wilks, owner of Sew Crochet. "I like to create things that you really won't see anybody else in."

This is BUILD's second annual holiday market. It's about shopping and showcasing talent, like Katrina Thacker, owner of Nzuri Kulture, who makes and sells dessert-inspired candles.

"They smell good enough to eat, calorie free, but definitely not something you want to eat," said Thacker.

D'Sheadra Benford sells fun, frameless, fabric-wrapped eyeglasses.

"We want to make people look as good as they feel, and I feel like when you wear these glasses, you are happy," she said.

Chevette Little, owner of Cordie's Kitchen, sells homemade hot sauce.

"It really warms my heart for people to taste my hot sauce, and let me know how delicious it is," she said.

At the Austin Holiday Market, they meet customers face to face and connect with each other, grateful for every dollar that helps build their business.

"This is a great opportunity just to learn and to grow and to share," Benford said.

"We all support each other," Thacker said.

The Austin Holiday Market is open until 7 p.m. on Friday and from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday at BUILD's Austin campus at 5100 W. Harrison St.