What is your vendor criteria? 
To sell at a Vintage Market Pop-up event, your merchandise must be vintage, antique, handmade or any combination of the three. We do accept food vendors, which will be placed in our food court area. We do not accept any mass marketed merchandise. To us, this means items that you would could find in a big box or chain retail store. We do not accept direct sales vendors. To us, this means any items purchased from catalogs or available by way of parties. This includes Avon, Paparazzi, Lulu Roe, Pampered Chef, etc.

To us, vintage means at least 20+ years old. Handmade means made BY YOU.  

We curate our events to meet the tastes and needs of our shoppers.  We are looking for a variety of vendors and we limit the number of each kind of vendor we allow. We encourage niche, antique and other interesting vendors to apply.  
Vendor space at our markets is extremely competitive and unfortunately, we cannot accept everyone who applies. Applications must include photographs or links to online stores such as Etsy, etc. Applications without photos or links will not be considered.

What is expected from a Vintage Market Pop-Up Vendor?
As a vendor, your basic responsibilities are to pay for your space, show up on time and be on hand throughout the event. But we really love vendors who get involved and use their social media to spread the word. We also provide posters for any vendor willing to post them. Other things to consider...
1. We expect your booth to thoughtfully arranged and engaging. Would you want to walk into your space if you were shopping? We have found that vendors who take the time to plan their spaces make the most sales. Just throwing up a table with your items placed on it will not make you sales.
2. A great attitude goes a long way. So does a smile and a willingness to be flexible. We endeavor to plan for every eventuality, but sometimes, we just can't predict the future (or the weather for that matter). We put an immense amount of time and effort into creating our markets and providing you with the backdrop to be successful. We love feedback and ask for it at the end of every market. We don't however appreciate  anyone who airs their "dirty laundry" in public. We are accessible and are happy to answer your questions and concerns, but stirring up trouble online or amongst other vendors will be noted for future events. Any vendor who verbally abuses a fellow vendor or shopper will not be invited back for future events.

How will I know that you have received my application?
You will get a confirmation of application receipt after submitting. Please give the system enough time to process, particularly if you submitted a photo. You will directed to our website and the page will thank you for submitting. If you do not get sent to our website, it means that we DID NOT get your application, please send it again.

How long does it take to find out if I've been accepted as a vendor?
Due to an ever increasing number of interested vendors, we are now only accepting applications during a set date period. From start to finish, the application and review period is approximately 45 to 60 days depending on the event. All notifications and invoices will be sent out on a specific date, as indicated in the application. 

Can I share a booth with another vendor? 
Yes, you may share a booth with another vendor if you apply together.  Make sure that it is clear that there are two people/businesses applying under one application.  Please note that we review applications as a whole and will pick and choose if one vendor meets our criteria and the other does not.  Make sure you wholeheartedly believe in your partner!  There will need to be a main contact designated and all payments must be made at one time from one source.

Do I need a permit to participate?
You do not need any special permits to be a vendor at our events.  All vendors are responsible for collecting and reporting their own income and taxes.

How do you advertise for the event? 
Advertising varies, but we always have a press release sent to local news outlets. We are also a big fan of social media and spend a significant amount of our advertising budget with Facebook and Instagram. We have also appeared on Your Carolina on WSPA and other television news programs. Don't worry--we will get the word out!  If you have connections with local news outlets, or if you want to participate by hanging posters, please let us know.

What should I expect on the day of the event? 
We will designate a beginning set-up time for each event. Barring any unusual occurrences, you should be on time for set-up. In the event of an emergency, please call us. We cannot have vendors setting up after shoppers are allowed into the event. When you arrive, please check-in at the information tent. You will receive a map with your space number and a participant lanyard. All spaces will be marked. Please do not extend your set-up outside of your designated space. All walkways and alleys must remain clear at all times. Be realistic with yourself when evaluating your space needs. If you intend to bring furniture, there is a good chance you will need a 10x20 space.

We have two "load-in" areas at Trailblazer Park and take into consideration those vendors who may be bringing furniture and other large pieces when assigning spaces. However, if you have special mobility needs, please let us know so we can accommodate you. 

As we are going to a two-day event and the venue is outdoors, there will be security on site overnight. However, please bring tent walls or sheets to tack up around your set-up to protect from the elements. We are not responsible for damage to unprotected space set-ups.

What are our food options during the event?
Traditionally we have had difficulty recruiting food trucks for our events. We try our best to get a variety of foods to suit everyone's needs. We've recently begun offering a catered lunch option for our vendors, which is delivered the day of the event. We will continue this service in the future. Please note that the cost of these lunches goes 100% to the caterer and that we have no control over what they charge. We try to provide an economical option while maintaining quality and variety.

Where do vendor fees go? 
The fees that are charged to vendors go to the myriad of expenditures associated with the market. This means paying for the site (plus security deposits), advertising, security/police (which is required by the City of Travelers Rest), musicians/DJs, printing and promotional items, and rentals such as porta-johns, trash bins, tables, and chairs. In short--there are many expenses associated with our events!

Why do you charge admission?
This is an industry standard for most vintage markets. In fact, our admission fees are quite low in comparison. We also firmly believe that charging a small admission helps weed out visitors who only attend out of curiosity or to look and not shop. We donate a portion of the admission fees to our non-profit partner, and the remainder goes to pay our staff. Our staff members spend huge amounts of time preparing for these events. Two events a year have resulted in a nearly year-round calendar of deadlines and to-do lists. We also engage event coordinators for these events in addition to day-of staff to run the ticket booths and information tables. And don't forget--we accept credit cards for admission which incurs a fee paid by us.