market baptism

16 years ago

First market yesterday (we're in the mountains here.) Let's set the stage: brand new market in a new site, brand new market manager (me, with a newbie co-manager), mostly first-time vendors (including me again!)

People are thronging 1/2 hour before the market opens; many vendors sell out halfway through. Lots of enthusiasm, great ambiance and chatter, until...

The thunderstorm swoops in during the last hour of the market, and continues raining afterwards, with inches of water running through the grass at our feet. We huddle together under the tent and watch everything and everyone get soaked. Then flee home, leaving the tent dismantling for another day.

Guess we've had our baptism!

Comments (7)

anniew
16 years ago
I guess the good news was that many sold out before the storm. Sounds like it will be a success.
Ann
diggerdee zone 6 CT
16 years ago
Well, the deluge aside, it sounds like you will have a great market! Whenever you have a crowd waiting for you to open, that's a good sign. Best of luck to you - both as a vendor, and as a manager!

:)
Dee
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softmentor
16 years ago
at least it didn't keep raining for 40 days. Congrat's on your success!
digit
16 years ago
Tell us how your season turned out, Sundacks.

digitS'
ole_dawg
16 years ago
Where is "In the Mountains"? what state?

Sounds like you did good anyway.

1eyedJack and the Dawg
sundacks
Original Author
16 years ago
Haven't checked this forum for a while! Thanks for your interest.

We turned out to have a great season, better than anticipated.From starting in July with just 2 vendors signed up for the season, we quickly grew to an average of about 10 vendors with some days at 14 or higher. The market had a great variety including organic and pasture-fed beef, lamb and pork, breads from a local bakery, flowers, herbs, crafts and of course several produce vendors.

I think the concept of local eating really caught on this year; I just hope it isn't a fad. Next year we plan to open 2 weeks earlier and continue through the end of Sept. And we'll try to have at least one "event" per month.

For the curious - we're in the Adirondack mountains of NYS, pretty cold with sandy/rocky acidic soil.
herbalistic
15 years ago
Lucky you!
I am in a small rural community. We just reorganized our market a couple years ago and with city support behind us we are growing but still trying to figure out how to get more shoppers out to our market. I became market master by default - since my friend asked me to help her then dropped out - and passed out vendor packets to 3 new inquiries this week. My concern is having too much competition with additional vendors and not growing the customer base enough to keep up with our growing market.
Any advertising hints would be greatly welcomed.