The Broadway Market Trick or Treats at the Market

Six-year-old Jordan Chulojdak, dressed in a green dinosaur costume, stands with mother Tracey Chulojdak, anxiously awaiting his turn for candy at the Broadway Market Saturday at the annual “Trick or Treat at the Market.”

Mother and son, from the Buffalo area, are loyal to their Polish heritage. They make it a point to travel to the market whenever they can.

“We are 100 percent Polish, so it is amazing to come out here and support the market,” said Tracey Chulojdak. “Jordan gets to come and trick or treat as well, so I think that is pretty great.”

The Broadway Market, at 999 Broadway on the East Side, has been around for 126 years and is famously known for its Easter fare. The market, however, features a variety of events throughout the year, “Trick or Treat at the Market,” is held the last Saturday before Halloween. 

The event allows children ages 12 and under to trick or treat from the 28 different vendors at the Market. Dozens of excited children sprinkle every corner of the market dressed in cowboy, princess and scary monster costumes, followed by parents who hold all of the candy their kids have received. The event also features a costume parade and costume contest. 

“We had 60 kids participate in this year’s event, which is larger than it was last year,” said Nancy Stone, one of the directors of events at the Broadway Market. “Having everyone come in and have a nice time while supporting the market, it was an awesome thing to see.”

Trick or Treat at the Market is one of the various events the market hosted in the month of October. The goal of two or three events is one that the market tries to hit each month. A marketing strategy employed by the market in order to get more business from both customers and vendors.

“By doing these events it is our goal to not only attract more people, but attract more local businesses to the market,” said Stone. “Right now at 28 we are sitting at about 50 percent  capacity in terms of vendors. We would love to get that raised before the holidays.”

While the Easter celebrations of the market get feedback from those in and out of the community, it is the goal of these events to communicate to the public that contrary to popular belief the Broadway Market is open year round. The hope is that more people are encouraged to come when they learn of the events happening.

“We advertised the trick or treat event through Facebook and by word of mouth.” said Stone. “It’s  my hope that we can get the word out that we aren’t open just on Easter, the more people that come to visit, the better.”

With the holiday  season right around the corner, this is the time when the Broadway market starts to become busier. The market will host a Tthanksgiving week celebration as well as multiple Christmas events well into December. The event Chris Kindlement, which will begin Dec. 19 and will run through Christmas, will feature an arts and crafts fair with live music and food for sale. Santa himself will also be in attendance. 

“Our Christmas events I think will bring in a ton of people,” said Stone. “This is a market funded by the city for the city and it is always great when our events have great turnouts.”