Dallas Market Center and Heart on Main Street, a nonprofit championing independent retailers, will collaborate for Love Local Day on June 20-21 during the Total Home & Gift Market, June 18-25.

This event celebrates the role independent retailers play in communities nationwide.

Love Local Day will showcase the partnership between Dallas Market Center, a wholesale marketplace, and independent retailers. Participating showrooms will host receptions throughout the two-day event featuring food, drinks and giveaways for visiting buyers. This atmosphere will foster connections and appreciation between wholesalers and the independent retailers they empower.

“We are thrilled to partner with Heart on Main Street to celebrate Love Local Day,” said Cindy Morris, president and CEO of Dallas Market Center. “Independent retailers are the backbone of our industry, and we are committed to supporting their success. Love Local Day is a perfect opportunity to show appreciation and create a fun, interactive experience for our valued buyers.”

In addition to the showroom festivities, Dallas Market Center will demonstrate its commitment to independent retailers by matching donations made to Heart on Main Street up to $5,000. This contribution will benefit the organization’s mission of providing resources, education and advocacy for independent businesses.

“Heart on Main Street is incredibly grateful for the partnership with Dallas Market Center,” said Patrick Keiser, executive director of Heart on Main Street. “Love Local Day is a wonderful way to highlight the importance of independent retail and these businesses’ positive impact on our communities. We are excited to collaborate with DMC to celebrate and empower independent retailers.”

In addition to Love Local Day, Heart on Main Street and Dallas Market Center are partnering to transform the atrium of the World Trade Center into a Main Street experience, beginning with a heart wall entryway leading to Main Street displays, four artistically rendered retail storefronts. The retail storefronts will represent a florist, gift store, women’s boutique, and home décor store, each stocked with merchandise from Dallas Market Center exhibitors.