The New Ulm shopping opener consists of a citywide craft fair, with vendors located throughout the town. The largest center for vendors on Saturday was Jefferson Elementary, which hosted the Women’s Expo. The expo serves as a fundraiser for Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE). Megan Zabel, Assistant ECFE Coordinator said they saw a steady stream of shoppers visit Jefferson for the expo. The event was bringing in visitors from across the region. Zabel said there were even shoppers coming from Nebraska, but most shoppers were locals.

There were over 90 tables sold to vendors selling a variety of items. Many of the vendors attended shows across south central Minnesota, but several cited New Ulm’s Women’s Expo as a favorite.

One of the popular vendor tables was run by Maren Gustafson, who sold ice fishing tackle that was made by her father in Bloomington.

“This is our favorite vendor show,” Maren Gustafson said. She and her father traveled from Bloomington to New Ulm’s Women’s Expo for the last three years. Part of the reasons the Gustafasons love the Women’s Expo is because it is consistent.

Jaime and Erin Hernandez with Top Hat Candles said New Ulm’s Women’s Expo was one of their best vendor shows in the area. Their scented candles sold fast at the craft event. Jaime said the goal with their business was to create scents that give a nostalgic feel.

“We have a lot of returning customers,” Maren said.

Many of the women shopping at the expo are seeking Christmas gifts for husbands who are away for the hunting opener. Gustafson said the ice fishing tackle made a great gift for that special sportsman.

While many vendors came from afar, most were local. Top Hat Candle Co. is based out of Sleepy Eye and is run by Jaime and Erin Hernandez. The couple founded their craft candle company two years ago and the expo has been one of their best shows.

Jaime Hernandez said the goal was to provide a sense of nostalgia with their scented candles. The couple has created over 20 different scented candles and is always trying to make more.

Jaime Hernandez said their most popular calendar this year was “Shakespeare’s Library,” which he described as smelling like an antique bookstore or library.

The ice fishing tackle booth run by Maren Gustafson was a popular spot at the Women’s Expo. Many shoppers were able to find a holiday gift for that special fishman.

At the Hauenstein House table, the mother and daughter team, Wendy and Adeline Ringhofer, sold various jams and jellies. Wendy Ringhofer said they started making artisan jams and jelly.

The preserves with spice to them tend to be the most popular, specifically the spiced pear and strawberry tabasco.

One of the more unusual vendor tables was run by Kelly Munce. During the warm season, Munce operates Jersey’s Sweet Spot Ice Cream truck but during the expo, she was selling repainted porcelain collectible figurines.

“I saw this online and I thought it was something I could do too,” Munce said. She ordered several of the collectibles and began repainting them to match gothic characters from film and television.

“I’ve gotten a lot of orders,” Munce said. “There is a demand.”

Mother and daughter team Wendy and Adeline Ringhofer sold artisan jams and jelly at the Women’s Expo. They said the spicy preserves proved the most popular with shoppers.

She said the most popular figurines were the Addams Family repaints. A lot of people want a Wednesday Addams-themed Precious Moments figurine.

Munce does take special requests. Multiple people want figurines of famous musicians; such as Taylor Swift, Garth Brooks, and especially Prince.

The Women’s Expo and Shopping Opener craft fair is only the start of the Christmas season in New Ulm. Many downtown businesses are ready for the holidays. Downtown decorations are on the rise with Christmas lights strung through trees on Minnesota Street.