What are the dates and application deadlines?
Our typical application schedule is:
- Spring Season Markets
- Application typically posted in early January, due mid January
- Fall Season Markets
- Application typically posted in late May, due mid June
- Holiday Market
- Application typically posted in early July, due late July
Step 1: Review the FAQ's below
This covers the vendors we're looking for, our deadlines, policies, and more. The vendor applicatio will ask you to confirm that you have read through this information before you submit the application so we're all "on the same page".
Step 2: Review the Vendor Guidelines
The Vendor Guidelines provide a quick summary of our important info for vendors.
Step 3: Submit Your Application
The applications will be posted here as appropriate.
If you are a food truck or tented food/beverage vendor with items for consumption during the event, please fill out the first Food Truck/Tented Food Vendor application. This includes savory items, beverages, and desserts. If you have shelf stable, prepackaged foods (e.g. teas, chocolates, condiments etc.), please fill out the Handmade/Antique/Vintage application - you will be in the "Handmade-Pantry" category.
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VENDOR FAQ'S
Who should apply?
We are looking for vendors with high quality handmade products along with carefully curated antiques (100+ years old) and vintage goods (25+ years old). Specifically, we select handmade artisans with unique, high quality, modern/on-trend products and vintage dealers with a carefully curated selection of goods (i.e. we are not a "flea market"). Creative and beautifully styled displays are prioritized when we select vendors. Each Market also includes a selection of high quality food trucks and tented food and beverage vendors with savory options, desserts, and beverages. We are not currently accepting applications for alcohol vendors (our beer and wine vendors are already selected for our one Market location where they are permitted).
We take pride that we have built a community of vendors who share a collaborative, supportive and inclusive spirit. We love working with fellow small businesses who work hard, have fun, and who are willing to put in the time to partner with us to make the Markets a success. We especially appreciate folks who are flexible and can roll with the punches of an outdoor event. If that sounds like a good fit, we’d love to meet you! We welcome applications from emerging businesses and established brands.
How do you select the participating vendors?
All applicants are reviewed with a fresh eye each season. When reviewing applications, we consider product quality, craftsmanship, uniqueness, cohesiveness of design, the overall mix of sellers, and fit with the Market’s aesthetic and what we feel will resonate most with our customers. Product display and presentation are very important considerations, and we look for applicants with creative and carefully styled displays (i.e. we are not a flea market and are looking to create a high quality experience for our customers). A strong social media and online presence is also important as we ask all vendors to help promote the Markets in partnership with us. We strive to have a variety of styles, price points, and categories represented at our events and maintain targets in each category. Finally, but importantly, we are always interested in increasing representation of BIPOC brands in our vendor community, and this information can be shared on the application.
What are you looking for in terms of setup (e.g. the display photo)?
When reviewing applications from prospective vendors, one of important elements we look at is the display image. We've put together a
gallery of images from prior Markets that gives a good sense of what we're looking for. We are looking for vendors with creative and carefully styled displays who can help us create a high quality shopping experience for our customers. This typically includes an engaging and inviting feel, unique display pieces, high quality signage/labels/branding, a curated offering of items, and an engaging and inviting overall feel. Our Instagram page also has many examples which reflect the overall feel of the Market and the vendors we typically select.
Who should NOT apply?
We do NOT accept vendors with buy/sell, directly imported goods, direct to consumer/MLM, or other commercially-made or mass-produced items including those from commercial kits. We also do not allow strictly marketing or promotional tents. From time to time we might include vendors with products which are designed locally and produced via fair trade partnership, but in that case all product design must be done locally by the vendor.
What do you consider to be "handmade"?
We consider handmade products to be those which are original in design and which require a level of skill and creativity in their final execution. We value seeing the maker's personal imprint on the final products sold versus products with minimal handiwork done on purchased components.
What is the vending fee? Is there an application fee?
Vending fees range from $200/Market (for handmade and antique vendors) to $250/Market for full sized food trucks. There is no fee to apply.
What is the cancellation policy?
A 50% refund is available up to one month prior to a vendor’s scheduled Market if a vendor needs to cancel. No refunds are given for cancellations within one month of a Market date. Vendors may not sell or give their space to another vendor; we will fill spaces from the waitlist if possible. All cancellations must be received in writing (email or text if the cancellation is on Market day), and "no shows" without any communication will impact future acceptance. We do not do credits for future events.
What is the weather policy?
The Markets are held rain or shine. We reserve the right to cancel the Market in case of severe or dangerous weather which might include heavy all day rain, sustained high winds, or lightning. Any weather-related decisions will be made by noon the Saturday before the scheduled Market. There are no rain dates, and we do not do credits for future Markets. If a Market is cancelled due to severe/dangerous weather, a 50% refund of fees will be issued. While we would never force a vendor to attend a Market, we do expect vendors who apply to be prepared and able to participate in outdoor weather conditions including rain.
Do I need to apply to all Markets in a season?
No. You can apply to just one, two, three or all four Markets in the season. You'll be able to indicate if you have a priority date (i.e. the one you'd most like to do) on the application. Due to strong demand for our Markets, most handmade vendors, especially in typically oversubscribed categories (jewelry, clothing, candles, bath/body, ceramics) will only be accepted for 1 or possibly 2 dates.
Do I need to be personally present at the Market?
Yes, and this is an important one for us. Because the experience of meeting and interacting with our makers/collectors is such an important part of our value proposition to customers, vendors must be personally present representing their business unless there is an extenuating circumstance and prior approval has been given. Unless otherwise noted, another event on the same day is not considered an extenuating circumstance.
Can I share a space? Will you match me with someone?
Yes, up to 2 vendors can share a space. Both will need to apply and be accepted to participate, and you will just indicate this on the application. If one vendor is accepted and the second vendor is not, we will offer the space as a solo space to the accepted vendor. We are unfortunately not able to match applicants with others also wishing to share a tent space. We also find that shared spaces work best when vendors have a relationship with each other, and have done that outreach and coordination themselves.
I missed the application deadline. Do you take late applications? Is there a waitlist?
Once our application has closed, we do not accept late applications. We do maintain an informal waitlist but this is drawn from the original applicant pool each season.
Do I need to have a website or social media pages to apply?
Yes, we will use either your website/shop page (e.g. Etsy) or your Instagram page to review your products. You will need to have one or the other, ideally both, to apply. See next question re: product photos.
Will I submit any photos on the application?
We've tried to keep the application as streamlined as possible. Just one display photo and one product photo are required of new applicants. If you are new to vending, you can create a small mockup to give us a sense of how you'd propose to display your work or collections. We will review additional photos on your website and social media pages. Please make sure they're up to date and have enough product that we can assess your work.
What do I need to have to participate in the Market?
Vendors provide their own setup and display including a 10’x10’ WHITE tent, tent weights (a min. of 40 lbs of weight securely fastened on each tent leg, 160 lbs total), tables for all merchandise. We recommend full-length tablecloths for a neat and professional appearance and recommend that vendors have tent sidewalls in case of rain.
Our approved types of tent weights are fully filled and adequately sized weight bags (like this) or PVC pipe or buckets filled with concrete for a DIY option (like this). Concrete blocks, bricks, water jugs, dumbbells, ballast plates loosely set on tent legs, loose sand bags or partially filled sand bags are NOT approved types. The round interlocking type (like this) are not approved unless they are securely fastened to the tent and with adequate weight (they are not our preference).
Can I request a specific space?
We do not accept specific space or adjacency ("can you put me next to so-and-so") requests unless you have a truly extenuating circumstance (i.e. a medical condition that requires you to be close to restrooms, or two vendors who travel together and must have adjacent tents, two vendors in two spaces who set up a joint display).
Does it help my application if I'm on social media and have a website?
Since so much of our promotion is done on social media, and our events (and your work) by their very nature are visual in nature, we will prioritize applicants with an active social media presence who are able to actively partner with us to promote the events and yourselves to our customers. An active website/shop page is also very helpful so customers can find - and hopefully buy from you - after the events. All of these are a win/win!
Do handmade products need to be made in the US?
Our focus is on featuring locally designed and produced goods (either handmade directly by the applicant or by their team under their direction. From time to time we may accept imported products (e.g. goods made through fair trade partnership), but in that case 100% of the design must be done locally by the applicant.
Do I have to have insurance to participate?
We do not require insurance, but we strongly recommend it. Clover Market does not assume responsibility to ensure the safety of vendor’s property. Our recommended company/policy is through ACT and
information can be found here (vendors can do a policy for a single show, or an annual policy).
Do you have any testimonials from vendors?
We sure do! Check our some of our recent testominials
here. Overall, vendors report that the smooth organization, excellent logistical communication, promotion and marketing, and a devoted customer base cultivated over 15 years sets Clover apart from other events.
Where are the Markets held?
We host our Markets outdoors in four beautiful and vibrant downtown locations in partnership with the local business districts. These central locations allow for plenty of parking and access to the busy nearby retail corridors. Our Markets are produced -- and receive additional marketing support --in close cooperation with the Chestnut Hill Business District, Borough of Collingswood, Bryn Mawr Business Association and Kennett Collaborative/Borough of Kennett Square.
Is electricity available? Can I bring a generator?
As our Markets are held on closed streets and parking lots, we do not have electricity available. Generators are only permitted for our food trucks.
Do I need to pay sales tax? Are other licenses required?
Yes you need to register your business and pay sales tax on all taxable products. It is each vendor’s responsibility to know their own personal tax requirements, and we recommend working with your tax professional to ensure that you are in full compliance. There is a $20 annual business license required for Bryn Mawr vendors. Tax/license contact informaton is included on the Vendor Guidelines (Step 2).
I have participated before. Will I be automatically accepted again?
We are thankful for our long term vendor community, and we know that our shoppers have built relationships over time with so many of you. However, it's also important for the vitality of the Markets that the merchandise and lineups are fresh and interesting each season, and that we don't have too much of each type of product. All applicants are reviewed with a fresh eye each season and we can't guarantee that prior vendors will always be able to participate, or that they will be confirmed for all of the Markets they have applied to.
Will I get additional logistical information if I'm accepted?
Absolutely! Vendors will received detailed logistical information including space assignments, how and where to load in, where to park, etc. about a week prior to each Market, allowing sufficient time to prepare for your participation. Our clear and detailed instructions -- and our helpful onsite team -- are one of the things that vendors most often mention enjoying about participating with us.
What are the benefits to me of participating?
In person Markets are all about CONNECTION! By participating with us, you will have:
- Opportunities to meet customers in person where you can establish and nurture relationships, grow your social media accounts and email databases, test new product ideas, and get feedback. The in-person experience is invaluable.
- An organized, communicative, and very detail-oriented Founder with 15 years experience who manages the Market full time.
- A private Facebook group just for participating vendors which offers opportunities for connection and sharing. We have built a community of fellow small business owners who enjoy supporting one another and building each other up.
- Ongoing exposure to the followers of our Facebook and Instagram pages through our vendor sneak peeks and promotional Reels and posts. We love to promote YOU, and spend a significant amount of time ahead of each Market on vendor promotion.
- A vendor gallery which remains up all season so Market shoppers can discover you before and after each event.
How can I reach you if I have a question not answered here?
If you have a question that has not been answered above or in the Vendor Guidelines and Policies, feel free to reach out to us
helloclovermarket@gmail.com and include "Seller Inquiry" in your subject line. We will get back to you as quickly as possible.
If I am not accepted to participate, could I get some feedback?
Unfortunately, given the number of applicants that we have each season, we are not able to provide individual feedback on applications. If you were not accepted, you may be in a very competitive category such as jewelry, candles, bath/body, ceramics, and clothing and accessories. If you have applied multiple times and have not been accepted, it's likely that our Market is not the right fit.
How can I be sure to see future calls for vendors?
It's easy - just put your email in the "mailing list" field at the bottom of this page! We send out frequent reminders to our email list and will also post often on our social media pages linked at the bottom of the page, too.
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