Magers & Quinn made it through Uptown challenges. Now it’s hoping the holidays are kind.

Now the idea is everywhere. The Minneapolis Downtown Council is showcasing at least four Christmas markets featuring 200 artists and area vendors in the weeks after Thanksgiving.

They will sell gifts and other merchandise at pop-up stores set up inside City Center, Dayton’s Project, IDS Tower and the YMCA buildings along Nicollet Mall.

Donahue at DEED said he isn’t surprised that there are more markets this year.

He has seen the “domino effect” of these efforts across the state, in St. Cloud, Waite Park, St. Joseph and “in the Duluth, Hermantown, Proctor/Cook area as well, here in northern Minnesota.” The popularity of holiday shop-local efforts, he said, ”shows the power of small business.”