This Saturday, a local nonprofit and a museum are teaming up to host an immigrant business marketplace. 

The free event is being hosted by KAMA DC, an organization that provides classes and workshops for immigrants. It will be held in the beer garden at the Heurich House Museum near Dupont Circle. At least 10 small businesses from communities throughout the District are participating. 

According to Alex Fraioli, the director of small business development at the museum, the marketplace is meant to give local immigrant businesses a jump start at no-cost. She says their program provides businesses with the marketing materials and location necessary to draw customers.

“The whole concept behind Mini Markt is that it’s for any business to basically take off,” says Fraioli. “The biggest thing that they need is to not have as many costs.”

The marketplace will include food, jewelry, clothing, and art from the vendors. Among those showcasing their wares is Yao Zhao, owner of the local food company 50Hertz that specializes in Sichuan pepper products. He says he’s excited to share his culture with customers and see his business grow.

“If you believe in something, you can make it happen,” says Zhao, who was born and raised in Chongqing, China. “That’s really actually the American spirit.”

For Ben Jaffe, who serves as the chief financial officer for KAMA DC, the marketplace is one way to recognize immigrants for their cultural contributions to the region.

“These business owners are just one example of immigrants and refugees who are really working to make a difference and bring new products and really bring new ideas to this area,” says Jaffe. “We’re really happy to support them in any way we can.”

Given the Heurich House’s own history as a brewery that was founded in 1866 by an immigrant, Fraioli says the museum is eager to provide a space for immigrant workers and entrepreneurs just as Christian Heurich did.

“The majority of his employees were all working class, a lot of whom were immigrants themselves,” says Fraioli. “We use this mission to basically support these modern workers.”

In addition to this week’s immigrant businesses, the Heurich House will host several more marketplace events throughout the year. Those dates and applications for interested vendors can be found on the museum’s website.

Meanwhile, Zhao says he hopes people will stop by the market and be open to trying his Sichuan products, which include pepper oil, dried spices, and “tingly” peanuts.

“It gives your mouth and tongue a tingling, buzzing sensation,” says Zhao. “This is such a cosmopolitan place and people are actually friendly to new experiences.”

Advance registration for the event is recommended but not required. If it rains, organizers say the market will be moved to Saturday, Aug. 13.