San Francisco-based Zaarly — the name is an online cutesification of the word “bazaar” — launched in May 2011 with a simple proposition: If you needed something done, you could put a request up with a dollar amount, and see if there were any takers; or, if you had a service you wanted to offer, you could post that, too. It was “kind of a cross between the old radio swap shops and eBay.”

Zaarly Storefronts refines that idea, offering online display windows for select small businesses.  Zaarly helps with the presentation, supplying a photographer and editorial services. For the truly small business, Zaarly’s business model offers a way to advertise without an upfront cost, since it’s all paid for via a ten-percent convenience fee.

Zaarly provides a secure payment system, along with client-customer messaging, and promises refunds to anyone who’s unsatisfied with their purchase. There’s also a rating system (25 people love this house cleaning service).

Seattle’s Storefronts launched end of November with a few hundred options. Geekwire said: “The variety of goods and services is very impressive, as there’s everything from tasty food to yoga classes to hot tub service. The interface looks nice with the big images, and it’s also clean and simple.” You can of course browse with your Zaarly iPhone app or Zaarly Android app.

At the moment, there are plenty of holiday-related offerings. There are gifts, such as a dozen homemade marshmallows ($10) or a handmade pen ($20), but you can also hire Mitch to hang your Christmas lights ($83), or have the Crown Black Car service drive you from Ballard to the airport ($72).

Part of the fun is stumbling across people who will do that exact thing you need — check out Everyday Help, and the people who will watch your dog, deliver and install a large appliance, or wait for the cable guy for you. If you’re on a diet, maybe stay away from Baking & Cooking, unless it’s a gluten-free diet, in which case, Zaarly can help.

You have to apply to get a Storefront. They’ll want to confirm you really do serve the area in question, and that you’re good at what do you. “Buy from amazing local people” is the slogan. The Better Business Bureau gives them an A-, only because they’re still a young company.