Khalifa City A’s residents are being treated to a bi-monthly ‘shopping soiree’, and the Christmas bazaar is set to be the biggest and best yet.
Abu Dhabi’s women are used to flocking to a Shopping Soiree in Khalifa City A, and November’s Christmas Soiree is going to be no exception, according to founder and organiser Chelsea van der Spek.
Every second month, on a Sunday, shoppers are treated to more than 50 stalls exhibiting their wares at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club. The pop-up event is organised by Chelsea from Tiny Bean Events, so that Khalifa City shoppers can enjoy the vendors and their products coming right to their doorstep.
The idea was founded out of a peculiarity in Khalifa – the absence of the opportunity to shop. Chelsea says, ‘I really wanted to offer something to the women of Khalifa City A because we are lacking in shops here.’
The only mall nearby is Al Raha Mall, otherwise it’s a trip to Mussafah or into Abu Dhabi for Khalifa residents.
The Soiree has been running for more than a year and has been a hit with locals, with hundreds of Abu Dhabi ladies attending the event.
‘We regularly have between 200 and 300 shoppers attending during the course of the day. Our Christmas Shopping Soiree is the exception, as the event is being held on a Saturday to involve the whole family and we anticipate that more than 500 people will be joining us,’ says Chelsea.
The project began with a lot of hard work from Chelsea, communicating and mobilising businesses in the UAE to participate. ‘Liaising with vendors and asking them to come to my event from all over the UAE was hard, especially as it was a new event and their success was not guaranteed. I was lucky to know vendors that had a huge presence in the Dubai market and that had been to previous events of mine, and also a big following in Abu Dhabi. I believe in loyalty, these vendors are regulars and bring their clients to these events which exposes other new small businesses to new potential trade.’
One such business that takes advantage of the event is Bubs Boutique, an online store for mothers in the UAE. Co-owner of Bubs Boutique, Paula says, ‘Chelsea has worked hard at getting a really good mix of retailers at these events so there is something for everyone. Each new and established vendor brings with them a slightly different customer base which makes for a lovely shopping event and an eclectic international crowd too, which I love.’
The stalls are comprised of various local businesses and vendors, with items available ranging from organic skin products to toys, homewares, sweets and pet-products. The event is hosted at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club on a Sunday, to make it convenient for mothers in Khalifa because it enables the woman in the area to do the school run and then come to catch up with their friends while shopping. This month, since the event will be on a Saturday, there will be more than 55 vendors, complete with a bouncy castle and face-painting to keep the kids entertained.
‘It’s not just a shopping soiree, it’s an opportunity to catch up with people and perhaps meet new people too. At the Soiree in September many people who came had not seen each other since the summer, so you could see that the fair really serves as a community event as well. People living in that area of Abu Dhabi could meet up, pick up a gift and have lunch within a couple of hours. It’s always put together so well and it’s a pleasurable few hours,’ says Paula.
‘Definitely the best part is working with all these small businesses – the ladies that run these businesses are incredibly savvy and passionate. I love to see them at each Shopping Soiree doing so well. We have over 25 vendors on the waiting list for a table at the moment, so I know that I am doing something right!’
Next on the agenda for the Shopping Soirees? Chelsea says, ‘We are looking at expanding to Saadiyat and Yas Island soon as there are a lot of new developments springing up there and a community of people that would be great to cater to.’
November 30, Abu Dhabi Golf Club, Khalifa City A, www.facebook.com/shoppingsoiree.
