Movers & Makers

St. Petersburg plays host to a plethora of makers’ markets. There are so many, in fact, that sometimes it’s hard to keep up. Check in with us monthly to learn more about the St. Pete market scene, find upcoming events and show your local support by shopping small.

With an abundance of outdoor markets throughout our city, St. Pete offers no shortage of opportunity to get outside and shop local. From small, curbside pop-ups to festival-style events garnering weekly crowds of 10,000 visitors, St. Pete has proven that we love a good market.

Lots of them, actually! St. Pete boasts at least nine regularly recurring markets throughout the year, not including those happening along our beaches or even special events popping up sporadically.

It begs the question: why do we have so many local markets? After speaking with the organizers of the St. Pete Indie Market, the Saturday Morning Market and the Night Market St. Pete, the consensus is that it’s a combination of many things, including the personality of our residents, the unique experience of each market, and a national shop-local movement.

Shop Outside the Box

Markets provide visitors with a distinct experience when compared to shopping in big-box stores. What would normally be a task, suddenly becomes an outing. Plus, market-goers have the ability to engage the makers of the goods being sold, giving purchases a more personal connection.

Even the food choices offered can add another element of excitement. Mark Johnson, market director and co-founder of the Saturday Morning Market, said that their event offers up to 13 different prepared food options, in addition to locally grown produce and baked goods to take home. Their market features an area for guests to sit, eat and enjoy live entertainment. This is a “huge social piece” of the market’s appeal, according to Johnson.

Variety is key for the Saturday Morning Market, with 25 percent of their booth spaces rotating weekly. Discovering the unexpected is something all market lovers have come to enjoy. As Johnson said, “The Saturday Morning Market actually ‘out-festivals’ most festivals!”

Ronnie Lee, the founder of Night Market St. Pete, says that makers’ markets are popular here because our city is “all about the local community”. In a town where something is happening every night, the Night Market St. Pete is a success because, Lee said, “Residents in St. Pete go out and enjoy their city. They are always looking for something new and fun to do.”

Incubator for Small Business

Markets provide local vendors an opportunity to gain exposure as an emerging brand. Rosey Williams, founder of St. Pete Indie Market, said, “We see a lot of great business contacts made at the markets.”

Market participation is a great way for makers to promote their goods direct to the consumer, and to garner a following. Per Williams: “The Indie Market has previously been described as an incubator for small business. Many vendors who start [here] go on to open brick-and-mortars. It’s that initial place where you can test out your products, find your niche and figure out what works.”

Market organizers recognize the sense of community that develops among vendors. Williams said: “Vendors have collaborated with products and also use each other as a resource. Sometimes even if it’s just for support, since being a small business owner is challenging.”

Too Many Markets?

While it’s great to have options, one might wonder if there is an over-saturation of markets in St. Pete. Do our markets feel like they’re in competition with one another?

According to Johnson, in a word, “No!” They are playing different games, and there is truly something for everyone.

The volume of makers’ markets in our area proves that our residents choose to shop small when given the chance, and our community culture is one that promotes local. Plus, it seems to be a part of a larger, national movement to support small businesses and focus spending in the local community.

Let’s Go!

The Saturday Morning Market takes place every Saturday, October through May, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. in the Al Lang Field parking lot. The next Night Market St. Pete happens on March 15, 6 p.m.-10 p.m. at St. Pete Side Lot. St. Pete Indie Market will be at Bandit Coffee Company on March 10, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., and at Green Bench Brewery on March 22, 7 p.m.-11 p.m.

Market Mafia is a resource connecting residents and visitors throughout Greater Tampa Bay with local handcraft markets. Find local happenings and #HitTheMarket, visit www.MarketMafia.com.