By Anntonete Abuyen, October 27, 2026
The overcast gloom set the vibe for The Gothic Market, its tarot readings and spooky decor at the Fairplex in Pomona Oct. 17.
The market bustled with visitors exploring and seeing what the vendors had to offer. Every booth was filled with curiosities, some piquing interest through skeletal, eccentric trinkets and others with elaborate, witchy setups and crystal balls.
However, the witchy aspect of goth culture is not solely for aesthetics.
Izzy Reese, a vendor, sold a variety of aromatics at the market including perfumes, oils and candles. According to Reese, people use her handcrafted items for spiritual purposes such as fragrances which can be used for healing or love.
The Gothic Market provided a space for people to connect with like-minded individuals and opened a space for small businesses to promote and sell their products.
Reese said although the market is good for her business, it has also given her a community. Many of the vendors travel together to continue selling for The Gothic Market. Seeing each other in new places allowed them to connect, especially when they go to farther cities in northern California, Reese said.
People of different subcultures, styles and identities were welcomed to the event, according to the event host, the Grimoire Academy. This was reflected in who showed up to the market, as many people dressed in gothic and other alternative attire while others wore intricate costumes and some simply dressed for comfort.
Layla Morales, a patron of the market, made an entrance with her Victorian-inspired costume which followed silhouettes of traditional Victorian attire. The gown was striped black and white and was accented with a black feather fan for flair. Morales pieced the costume together and said she also drew inspiration from steampunk aesthetics for her jewelry.
Morales and her husband, Angelo Morales, began attending similar markets in the ‘90s.
“We like to get into the theme, into the mindset and just get lost for a little while,” Morales said. “It’s more like nostalgia for us because it has been around for so long.”
Jenna Scotese and Akane Sanchez, two jewelry vendors at the market, found solace in the community as both members and vendors. Goth culture is all about self-expression and acceptance, Sanchez said. It explains why many had intricate face paint, makeup and all-black costumes people wore to the event.
Scotese originally began making earrings as a personal project but realized it was an opportunity to start something new. Eventually, the two began working together and now sell accessories such as earrings, barrettes and chainmail necklaces.
Despite being a new business, Sanchez said she is not new to the scene. Sanchez has aligned with the alternative and goth identity for about three years and dabbles in the cybergoth subculture as well.
Sanchez and Scotese said this is a shared sentiment among the community at the Gothic Market.
Amanda Ballinger, a business student at Cal Poly Pomona, attended The Gothic Market. She also went to the market a year prior which was hosted in Los Angeles. Ballinger said she was excited to be back and find more interesting items to purchase.
“Everybody here is always so welcoming,” Ballinger said. “In all the spaces that pertain to the goth community, the alt community, we’re all very uplifting for each other.”
According to Ballinger, the gothic community is known for how warm it is, and it explains why people felt safe to express themselves in unconventional ways at the market.
Scotese expressed her appreciation for the community and how accepting it is, regardless of a person’s identity and appearances.
“To be goth is to embrace being different,” Sanches said. “You’re gonna be looked at funny and you’re gonna be laughed at sometimes. It’s important that you just accept who you are and be confident.”
