Managing Editor/Publisher
Spring is on its way and to get in to the "feel of the season" a newly developed "March Market" may be just the ticket.
"Our event is a market for people who craft, for people who need to clean out their garages - it will be a great place to find unique items," said Caitlin Alexander, one of the event's organizers. "We are calling it the March Market and it's the first time we have done a spring one."
Alexander, along with her husband, Daniel and their friends, Craig and Pam Hampton started a market in October - Before and Crafter, also known as the B&C.Flea Market.
"All of our vendors from the October flea markets asked if we could do this more than just once a year, because they have more stuff they need to get cleaned out of their houses. We said, 'yes, we're game'."
Alexander said they are trying to "curate the event to be more antique and vintage versus just stuff and crafts ."
"But at the same time the more of those kind of items to go along with these items - it will bring in a bigger variety of customers," she added. "We should have pretty much something for everyone. We have candy and food booths on top of that, so those who like food truck food - we can accomodate them."
According to Alexander, the 1776 Food truck and some "lemonade guys" are among those set to be part of the March Market.
"I appreciate having them there," she said. "It makes it easier for those who come to the market and vendors so they don't have to leave to get food."
Those interested in having a booth at this week's market still have time.
Alexander said they are still accepting vendors up through Friday.
"At this time, we have 38 confirmed different vendors so the auditorium at the civic center will be almost completely full," she said. "We will have access to more room if we need it."
Some of the vendors who have confirmed they are coming include a lot of individual crafters, a wood lasering booth, a vendor with "boutique" style items, hand painted saws, antiques and vintage items including milk cans and old gasoline cans, and of course garage sale items.
It is Alexander's hope that they can bring the "vintage finds out of people's closets."
"There is a lot of value in the old vintage antique things," Alexander said, adding that around "30 percent of those setting up will be bringing flea market style items and garage sale style items such as cookware, clothing and more."
There will also be crafters.
"We have a lot of closet crafters seeing this show as an opportunity to get started with what they are doing as a business," she said. "We definitely are getting a wider variety for this event. We have a lot of new vendors from our last show. ."
Alexander said the March Market will be a one day show.
"It is a single day event," she said. "However, we intend to make our October flea market a two-day event eventually. We have demand for both types of shows. It's a lot of work for our vendors to set up and tear down."
Alexander has a lot of hope for the March Market.
"My biggest hope is for people to see value in the old and vintage items and to help put money back in to our community," she said. "We love these crafters who are coming out. Half of the people are from in town and have a small business they are trying to get started, which is fantastic. We also want to help people who are needing to have garage sales, where you have limited exposure. At a flea market you get people who come for food, to have something to do, - a flea market expands potential to get stuff sold. It helps them put money in their pocket and get stuff out of their house."
Another added plus is that the event is indoors.
"So, if the weather turns bad it's okay," Alexander said. "They won't be sitting outside in 14 degrees or in the wind. Another goal we have by doing this is community enrichment."
Those wanting to be vendors can get a 10-foot booth for $35 or a 20-foot booth for $50.
"We supply a few tables, but if they want more than two it is $5 per table," Alexander said. "They are welcome to bring their own tables if they would like and use those."
Alexander said she, her husband, and the Hamptons work well together.
"We are best friends and my husband is Pam's cousin," she said. "We work really well together and make a good team.We all have our own strengths and weaknesses. For example, Craig is a go-getter and likes technology, which he is good at it. Pam is our numbers gal. I am the creative one who just happens to have some spare time and my husband is the muscle. We are a very cohesive group and we feed off of each other. We do really good together."
Their efforts and ability to work together appears to have paid off.
"This market has ended up so much bigger than we expected, it to be already," Alexander said. "It's grown in so many ways. We have people coming from Stratford, Texas; El Dorado, Kansas - things are really working out. It has exceeded our expectations and has turned out great already."
Vendors are able to set up on Friday from noon until 7 p.m. The market is open Saturday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.
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