Now more than ever, locally owned businesses need support from the community. Here is your chance to show your support. Buy ICT is putting on a marketplace for local vendors that is free to the public this Friday, July 2, at the Historic Union Station from 5-9 p.m.

Katy Penner created Buy ICT as a fun way to encourage the support of local businesses. Buy ICT Market is a kickoff to their month-long initiative aimed at building the local economy by encouraging residents to spend money at local businesses during the month of July.

50 vendors will set up shop Friday, and their businesses range from pastries, clothes, jewelry, to many more. Music, provided by DJ Cadence will help set the tone for the event.

Now in its second year, The Buy ICT challenge garnered a lot of local support on Facebook, which drove Katy to want to do more this year. Buy ICT has partnered with Women Empowered Markets, Bringing it Black, JuneteenthICT, Union Station, and other local vendors to create the Buy ICT Market: Kick off the Summer Challenge to get more Wichita residents to shop locally in the month of July.

“ We are extremely excited to partner with Buy ICT to bring people all around Wichita together to support our talented entrepreneurs and lovely local shops,” said Phylicia Thompson, co-founder of Bringing it Black.

Bringing it Black is a community organization committed to bringing new and innovative cultural events to ICT, while encouraging residents to support local businesses. 

Thompson encourages those who attend to eat with the restaurants located in Union Station, such as Jenny Dawns or Cheesecake Factory.

Follow Buy ICT on Facebook for more information about their future events.