At the helm of the Bizarre Market, Richmond’s favorite handmade extravaganza hosted by Chop Suey Books, is Bird Cox.The inventory of the Bizarre Market is the handcrafted work of local artists. Cox, a crafter herself, believes there’s something unique about handmade products.

“They just have more juju than something made in a factory,” she explains. “There’s just a magical quality to handmade things.”

Due to the success of the Bizarre Market, Bird is opening her own permanent shop in the Downtown Arts and Cultural District. “I think it gives people a sense of pride to support their local creatives,” says Cox. “In RVA people really help each other, especially in the arts. The Bizarre Market is a piece of that creative community.”