Rooted in Community: How Our Events Began and Why Shopping Local Matters

How Our Events Grew Into a Year-Round Tradition

Over time, our events evolved into something much larger than the hayrides we started with. Today, we host:

Seasonal markets and vendor pop-ups

Family days and kids’ craft events

Holiday markets and last-minute shopping events

Spring and summer workshops

School fundraisers and community drives

Winter indoor markets

Special themed activities throughout the year

These events didn’t happen because it was trendy. They happened because our community wanted a place to gather — and we wanted to create something meaningful for the families who support us.

Why Shopping Local Truly Matters

Supporting a small business is about more than a purchase. It’s about preserving the character, connection, and heart of a community. When you shop local, you help build the kind of town people want to live in — one with real traditions, real gathering places, and businesses that care about the people who walk through their doors.

Here’s what it truly means when you shop local:

You Keep Community Spaces Alive

Local businesses create the places where life happens: weekend visits, kids’ activities, family traditions, spontaneous stops after school.

When you shop here, you help keep these spaces open and full of life.

A town with thriving local businesses feels warm, genuine, and connected.

You Support Real People — Not Corporations

Every dollar you spend here supports local employees, seasonal workers, small vendors, and a family-owned business that has served Stamford for decades.

Your support stays local and strengthens the community you live in.

You Keep Local Traditions Going

Our daytime Haunted Hayrides were the beginning of something special. Today, we host events in every season because the community continues to support the business behind them.

Shopping local makes these traditions possible.

You Support Dozens of Other Small Businesses at Once

Our markets and pop-ups bring together local makers, artisans, bakers, and small brands.

When you visit or shop at these events, you support an entire network of small businesses growing alongside us.

You Help Keep Stamford Unique

Local businesses give a town its identity — the places families talk about, visit year after year, and make memories in. Without small businesses, every town starts to look the same.

Supporting local preserves the character and charm of Stamford.

You Choose Connection Over Convenience

We know our customers. We remember your kids, what you planted last season, which rooms you’re decorating, and what you’re working on next.

That kind of personal connection only exists when people choose to support local businesses.

Supporting Local Means Supporting Each Other

Our community events began with something simple: a daytime Haunted Hayride and families who showed up. From there, everything grew — because you continued showing up, season after season, year after year.

Your support lets us keep offering events, partnering with local makers, and giving families a place to gather and make memories.

Thank you for supporting local.

Thank you for supporting us.

And thank you for being part of the Designs by Lee community.

We’re excited for everything still ahead.