OUR STORY

Ruby’s Pantry was started in the garage behind our brick and mortar store, Ruby’s Market. R Bazaar supported the effort at the beginning of the pandemic in response to 2020-21 refugee resettlement agency closures. Our goal was to support healthy living among the community we celebrate. This effort continues in 2023.

Vendors Across U.S.

Denver/Aurora/Local

New YORK

St Louis, MO

ATLANTA, GA

MANY HANDS MAKE GOOD FOOD

Everyone loves to eat! Food is a powerful way to connect people. It can bring a chef back to a moment when they were a child, or connect them to their new home. Food creates a cultural bridge, bringing people together over a meal.

Beauty in ARTISAN GOODS

Art is an emotional expression. Immigrants and refugees can process where they are in their journey through creativity, and share just a piece of their experience with others in their new communities.

ONE CONNECTOR

Michelle Lasnier, a passionate refugee advocate, event planner and world traveler started R Bazaar in 2017 as a way to help refugee and immigrant entrepreneurs sell, connect and share their culture with the Colorado community.

With 20+ years of experience in global event management, Michelle brings her passion for the Colorado refugee and immigrant community to R Bazaar. Her skills in logistical planning and business development, along with talented and passionate artisans, ignites cultural exchange.

Michelle’s professional wheelhouse is food & beverage, logistics, and community outreach. She is originally from Northern Virginia, attended Georgetown University (B.A.) and the University of Denver (M.A.), recognizes her vendors as family and loves to ride all types of bikes. Her future plans involve large events, a bigger space for Ruby’s Market and a community kitchen/restaurant + manufacturing space for the artisans.