FAQ FOR MARKET TRADERS
We want our traders to be prepared to have busy and successful experiences at the market. Our goal is to provide a desirable shopping destination, packed with high quality vintage goods. We pride ourselves on the quality of traders selected for the market, and the thoughtful collections that are available for shoppers to discover at each market. The information on this page will help you get the most out of your stall and make for a great shopping experience for our customers.
- How can I become a market trader?
Please review the selection criteria and complete the application here.
- When will I know if my application was successful?
We will review and respond to your application within 14 days. If you do not receive a response within this time frame, please email holler@mplsvintagemarket.com. If your application is approved, you will be sent an approval email containing the following:
- What is the stall fee?:
Our stall fees typically vary from $65-$95 depending on the time of year, the venue, and other factors. Your stall fee includes the following:
- Planning your display:
Booth spaces will be marked out on the floor. Please adhere to the floor marks so each vendor has the same amount of space, and so that walkways are clear and accessible. You may configure your display however you like within your booth boundary, here are some notes to help you plan your display and how much merchandise to bring:
- What do I need to bring?
Traders are required to bring the following items:
The following items are recommended but not mandatory
- Tips & Tricks from our experienced vendors:
- How many markets can I participate in?
Once your application is approved, you may sign up for an unlimited number of markets. You just register and pay for each date as you go. Details of how to sign up for your stall will be sent in your approval email.
- When will I know my stall allocation?
Market maps and load-in instructions are sent out on Tuesdays for markets taking place that week.
- When can I set up?
Generally, load-in and set up begins 90 minutes before the market opens, but this may vary from venue to venue. Confirmation of load-in times and instructions will be sent via email on the Tuesday of your market date.
- How big are the stalls?
Stall spaces range from 8x8' indoors to 10x10' outdoors. Your space can be configured any way you choose within your stall boundary. If you need more space, you may be able to purchase two booths (dependent on venue size). Please check the event registration page for details.
- Is electricity/wifi available at my stall?
Sites do not include electricity, so you should plan to bring electronics and devices fully charged, or have a battery-run charger and lighting available. Most of our indoor venues offer free wifi, but it is good to have a backup data plan for your card reader just in case. Most outdoor venues have limited or no wifi.
- How can I let my customers know I'm participating in the market?
We encourage you to tweet, Instagram and Facebook using the hashtag #mplsvintagemkt. We also create a Facebook event for each market which we encourage you to share with your networks. Follow us using the links at the bottom of this page, and include your social media handles in your application to be featured in our promotion of the market.
- Is there food at the market?
There will be food trucks in or near the market when possible.
- I'm a food vendor, can I sell at your market?
We do not manage food vendors. We recommend that you apply to Frank & Ernest Foods as we partner with them on a number of events throughout the year. Please submit your application to frankandernestfoods.com.
- I'm an artist that creates upcycled work incorporating vintage items, can I trade at the market?
We're specifically looking for vintage vendors only for this marketplace. If your work falls in the category of upcycled or mixed mediums (vintage and new), we'd encourage you to apply to Minneapolis Craft Market instead at mplscraftmarket.com.
- How many traders will be at the market?
Depending on the configuration of each venue, we will usually have between 20-40 traders at each market. Our goal is to make the market a busy shopping destination, packed with high quality local collectors.
We want our traders to be prepared to have busy and successful experiences at the market. Our goal is to provide a desirable shopping destination, packed with high quality vintage goods. We pride ourselves on the quality of traders selected for the market, and the thoughtful collections that are available for shoppers to discover at each market. The information on this page will help you get the most out of your stall and make for a great shopping experience for our customers.
- How can I become a market trader?
Please review the selection criteria and complete the application here.
- When will I know if my application was successful?
We will review and respond to your application within 14 days. If you do not receive a response within this time frame, please email holler@mplsvintagemarket.com. If your application is approved, you will be sent an approval email containing the following:
- A request to submit your ST19 form (Operator Certificate of Compliance) as evidence that you have a valid MN tax IS number, or do not need to have one per MN Dept. of Revenue rules. This form must be completed and returned to us before you will be able to participate in the marker.
- A link to register and pay for upcoming market dates.
- What is the stall fee?:
Our stall fees typically vary from $65-$95 depending on the time of year, the venue, and other factors. Your stall fee includes the following:
- Your stall space (stalls range by venue from 8x8' to 10x10' depending on venue)
- Listing in our online maker directory
- Social media features
- Planning your display:
Booth spaces will be marked out on the floor. Please adhere to the floor marks so each vendor has the same amount of space, and so that walkways are clear and accessible. You may configure your display however you like within your booth boundary, here are some notes to help you plan your display and how much merchandise to bring:
- In an 8x8' booth, 3 clothing racks is the maximum that can reasonably fit without going beyond your booth boundary, while still allowing space for shoppers.
- Consider that sometimes less is more. If a shopper can't physically move the items on a clothing rack, they'll get frustrated and stop browsing.
- If you need more than the space designated, please purchase an additional booth space.
- What do I need to bring?
Traders are required to bring the following items:
- Sign clearly listing your business name
- All display equipment (racks, tables, etc)
- Business cards
- Packaging materials and bags for sales
- Checkout items (change float, card reader, receipt paper, etc.)
- Tags on all items listing the following:
- Price - Minnesotans hate asking, so you'll sell more if things are labeled clearly
- Your business name - this helps customers return items to the correct vendor after visiting the changing room
- Price - Minnesotans hate asking, so you'll sell more if things are labeled clearly
- A mirror - required for vendors with clothing or accessories
- We strongly encourage all vendors to accept credit cards.
The following items are recommended but not mandatory
- Chair
- Table (or rent one from the market for $10)
- Table cloth
- Tent (for outdoor market dates). Note that your tent must be weighed down by at least 40lb weights on each leg for safety reasons. Any tents without adequate weights will not be allowed.
- Tips & Tricks from our experienced vendors:
- It's good idea to take shoppers ID as collateral before leaving your booth with merchandise. Taking IDs as collateral is great for three reasons!
- It discourages theft and provides peace of mind to vendors allowing them to continue to engage with customers in their booth, rather than trying to keep track of the items leaving their booth
- It encourages shoppers to make quicker buying decisions, instead of walking around with a handful of items for a period of time and only ending up buying one piece, which puts vendors at a disadvantage because another shopper could have purchased that item during that time.
- It allows shoppers to make a mental note of which vintage item belongs to which vendor (see also tagging, above!)
- Consider having a tape measure on hand to help customers who don't want to try things on measure garments.
- Consider having a second person assist in your booth so you can be on hand for customer questions, to assist with checkout, or to help customers find items.
- How many markets can I participate in?
Once your application is approved, you may sign up for an unlimited number of markets. You just register and pay for each date as you go. Details of how to sign up for your stall will be sent in your approval email.
- When will I know my stall allocation?
Market maps and load-in instructions are sent out on Tuesdays for markets taking place that week.
- When can I set up?
Generally, load-in and set up begins 90 minutes before the market opens, but this may vary from venue to venue. Confirmation of load-in times and instructions will be sent via email on the Tuesday of your market date.
- How big are the stalls?
Stall spaces range from 8x8' indoors to 10x10' outdoors. Your space can be configured any way you choose within your stall boundary. If you need more space, you may be able to purchase two booths (dependent on venue size). Please check the event registration page for details.
- Is electricity/wifi available at my stall?
Sites do not include electricity, so you should plan to bring electronics and devices fully charged, or have a battery-run charger and lighting available. Most of our indoor venues offer free wifi, but it is good to have a backup data plan for your card reader just in case. Most outdoor venues have limited or no wifi.
- How can I let my customers know I'm participating in the market?
We encourage you to tweet, Instagram and Facebook using the hashtag #mplsvintagemkt. We also create a Facebook event for each market which we encourage you to share with your networks. Follow us using the links at the bottom of this page, and include your social media handles in your application to be featured in our promotion of the market.
- Is there food at the market?
There will be food trucks in or near the market when possible.
- I'm a food vendor, can I sell at your market?
We do not manage food vendors. We recommend that you apply to Frank & Ernest Foods as we partner with them on a number of events throughout the year. Please submit your application to frankandernestfoods.com.
- I'm an artist that creates upcycled work incorporating vintage items, can I trade at the market?
We're specifically looking for vintage vendors only for this marketplace. If your work falls in the category of upcycled or mixed mediums (vintage and new), we'd encourage you to apply to Minneapolis Craft Market instead at mplscraftmarket.com.
- How many traders will be at the market?
Depending on the configuration of each venue, we will usually have between 20-40 traders at each market. Our goal is to make the market a busy shopping destination, packed with high quality local collectors.