Behind the Scenes at Bow Market

Published September 2023

Bow Market boasts over 30 small businesses—bakeries, breweries, wine bars, raw bars, retail shops, a pinball parlor, and even a wedding venue. Owners Matt Boyes-Watson and Zach Baum opened Bow Market in 2018 as a space for entrepreneurs to grow their businesses and, as a result, uplifted the local small business community. We sat down with Bow’s Media Manager, Carlie Febo, to learn more about how she captures the magic behind these small businesses.

Tell us a little bit about Bow Market!

Bow Market is an award-winning shopping and dining destination. Once a vacant storage building, Bow is home to 30+ small businesses, all nestled around a public courtyard. Now in its 5th year, Bow Market has become a hub for the area’s most creative and collaborative. From chefs and brewers to DJs and designers, it’s a must-stop-spot for the best in small business and local entertainment.

What inspired you to join the Bow Market team? 

I started my freelance photography business in 2018 and was hired by Bow Market in 2020. Before Bow, I photographed artists, poets, and creatives in the Boston area. I find this work deeply inspiring—letting artists see themselves (and in turn appreciate themselves) and their craft through my photography. 

I knew I wanted to continue to amplify the hard work and passion of creatives and small biz owners through my photography and social media skills. This work grew when I started photographing the small business owners of Bow Market and giving them imagery that represents where they are at in their journey of growing a business. Each photoshoot feels magical at Bow—I am able to get to know the business owners on a deeper level, share a personal moment together, and make images that will represent them and live on. My personal mission is share ALL the incredible work that these local small business owners do on a day-to-day basis through my photography and work as Media Manager. 

What aspect of your work makes you most proud to be a part of our community?

As the lead photographer and Media Manager at Bow Market, I am incredibly proud that I get to capture and represent the small business owners that make up Bow Market. I am so proud to shout to the world (via social media, newsletter, etc) what this incredible network of folks are doing on a regular basis. So much of my work is striving to connect and amplify community through imagery and words. The deeper we connect as a community, the stronger we become as individuals. I know this is true of Bow Market and the greater Union Square community. I am so proud to be a part of it! 

How do you #LoveUnionSquare?

I #LoveUnionSquare in so many ways on a weekly basis—from small things like chatting with one of the incredible baristas at Remnant Brewing when I get my morning coffee to bigger things like photographing a local Somerville couple getting married at Dearly Studio (yay Union Square love!). I #LoveUnionSquare when I make a connection or have a conversation with someone right in our community. I #LoveUnionSquare when I am amplifying a brand new business pop-up on social media. I #LoveUnionSquare when I bring my 3 year old daughter and husband to Bow Market to have a special afternoon shared together at my favorite place! 

Is there anything else you think a Square customer would like to know?

Bow Market is so special! It is a place of places. A place that deeply supports people. And in turn, supports this community. The people here are dedicated, talented, and passionate about what they do. Come by to see for yourselves! 

PS. Bow Market is expanding! In addition to celebrating its 5th anniversary, Bow Market will also add five new storefronts to their landscape this fall, renovating a decade-vacant space on Somerville Ave to allow for the continued growth of the small, locally owned business community. “This extension will allow Bow Market to work with more independent businesses and businesses at different points on their growth path. When a business is ready to move out of their first shop, we have room for them now,” says co-owner Matt Boyes-Watson. 

Catch up with Bow Market and see Carlie’s photography on their Instagram. Each shop at Bow has varied hours; head to their website for business-specific hours information.