Local makers and start-ups in St Pete have endless options for getting their products out of their hands and into those of potential customers. Vending at our local community markets can offer a relatively low cost opportunity to showcase brands, while opening a brick and mortar can be a large investment for small business owners. Now small businesses have more chances than ever to find their place in the gray area between those two options by selling their goods inside of existing, local focused stores around town!
Several shops put local maker goods on display in an effort to benefit both the seller and the buyer. From t-shirts to candles, books written by St Petersburg authors, artwork and homewares can be found within stores like LocalShops1, the new Market at Left Bank, and the St. Pete Store & Visitors Center. Working on a consignment basis with artists, each shop has a 60/40 split with their vendors which they feel is mutually beneficial. These locations provide unique shopping opportunities for residents searching for one-of-a-kind gifts, tourists looking for items to commemorate their visit, and for entrepreneurs to peddle their merchandise!
LocalShops1 represents over 30 local vendors in their store. Some popular market vendors they carry include Pergamo Paper Goods and Retro Nuevo Jewelry Designs. They accept new artists quarterly and interested artists can contact them directly by emailing [email protected] or [email protected]. Their next round of acceptances will occur in September! Artists need to be part of the LocalShops1 membership program.
“The point was to give artists an opportunity to set up a shop with very low commitment and low upstart costs, to test going brick and mortar. In addition to giving the artists another revenue source (in addition to markets and their own online sales), having a physical presence, I believe, boosts the artist’s standing and often helps them get in juried shows as well as in larger galleries and museums. For those just starting out and wanting to build a business, I think getting sales from an actual shop takes their business to a higher level. I hope to see several of them open their own shops in the next few years,” said Ester Venouziou of LocalShops1.
Market at Left Bank boasts over 3,500 square feet of space filled with local antique vendors, and more recently local makers’ goods! They now represent over 10 vendors known on the St Pete market scene including: Homosapien, Mandalina and REJuled. Sister company and mobile airstream boutique, Feathers Fate & Steel will continue to park on property as well. While they currently have a waitlist for new makers, those interested are encouraged to contact them at [email protected]. Goods include a wide variety from home decor to jewelry and soaps!
The St. Pete Store & Visitors Center, located within our Chamber of Commerce, is one of the largest hubs for local finds! They promote the work of over 50 local artisans, including highly recognized market vendors like: Soydles Candle Co., Wide Sky and Florida Pure Sea Salt. The St. Pete Store accepts vendors located in St Pete proper via jury pool on a continual basis; interested artists can best contact them at [email protected].
Shop local during their business hours:
LocalShops1: 2908 Beach Blvd S, Gulfport FL 33707, Tuesday 9am-2pm, Saturday and Sunday 11am-6pm, ArtWalk events 11am-10pm
Market at Left Bank: 1241 Dr MLK Jr St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, closed Tuesday, all other days 11am-7pm
St. Pete Store & Visitors Center: 100 2nd Ave N Ste. 150, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, Monday-Wednesday 10am-5pm, Thursday 10am-6pm, Friday 10am-5pm, Saturday 9am-5pm, closed Sunday
