To Apply - STEP 1: Review the FAQ Below (The "Big Picture")
Hello and thank you for your interest in our Markets. We've included our most frequently asked questions below. Before applying, you'll want to read through them as they cover the types of vendors we're looking for, our deadlines, policies, and more. Basically they're all of the questions we often get asked on emails, DM's etc! If you'd like more information about the Market overall, you can read our general Market FAQ here.
STEP 2: Review the Vendor Guidelines ("the Nitty Gritty")
We've gathered the most important vendor information in two handy pdf's linked below. While the FAQ's below cover the main points, this gives you all of the nitty gritty details in terms of the application process, what you'll need and how things work at the event, and our cancellation and weather policies. Some folks find this format easier to read.
STEP 3: Submit Your Application
To apply, just click on the appropriate links below. If you have not participated with us before, you'll just need to upload one photo showing your display (or proposed display); we will review products by viewing your website/shop page and social media pages.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What are the Fall 2023 Market dates?
Sept 10 - Chestnut Hill
Sept 24 - Collingswood
Oct 8 - Bryn Mawr
Oct 22 - Kennett Square
All Markets are open 10-4 pm.
What are the application deadlines & notification dates?
Our deadlines for the fall season are:
Handmade & Vintge Vendors
- Application Deadline: Mon. June 5 at 11 pm EST (firm)
- Vendor Notifications Emailed: Mon. June 19
- Vending Fees Due In Full: Thurs. June 22
Food Trucks
- Application Deadline: Mon. June 5 at 11 pm EST (firm)
- Vendor Notifications Emailed: Wed. June 21
- Vending Fees Due In Full: Mon. June 26
In general, the spring season application is typically posted in late December to early January and will be due in early February. The fall season application is typically posted in early May and due in early to mid June. All correspondence is done via the email you provide. Be sure to check your spam folders if you haven't received a notification by the stated deadline.
Who should apply?
TL:DR - we are looking for vendors with with high quality handmade products along with carefully curated antiques (100+ years old) and vintage goods (25+ years old). We're looking for 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.
A little more info please?
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. All applicants should also have a passion for creative and carefully styled displays to help us create a unique shopping experience for our customers. We welcome applications from emerging businesses and established brands, so even if you're new to making or collecting, please don't hesitate to apply.
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 (Mother Nature can be fickle). If that sounds like a good fit, we’d love to meet you!
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.
Is there an application fee? What is the vending fee?
There is no fee to apply. Vending fees range from $190 (for antique and handmade vendors) to $250 for food trucks.
Do I need to apply to all Markets in a season?
Nope! 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. Given the challenge and time involved in selecting vendor lineups across multiple categories and dates, we ask that you only apply to dates where you know you are available (please double-check your calendar) and able to pay the vending fees in full after acceptance if you are confirmed for all of the dates you've selected. 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.
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 is required. 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. You will not submit product photos on the application as we'll look at your website and/or your Instagram page. Please make sure that your website and social media pages are up to date and have enough product that we can assess your work.
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 do I need to have to participate in the Market?
Vendors need to provide their own setup and display including a 10’x10’ white tent (white tents create a beautiful overall market aesthetic and help to show your merchandise best), tent weights (a minimum of 40 lbs of weight securely fastened on each tent leg), tables for all merchandise, and full-length tablecloths for a neat and professional appearance. We recommend that all vendors have tent sidewalls handy available 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 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.
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).
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.
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).
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 establishand nurture relationships, grow your social media accounts and email databases, test new product ideas, and get feedback. The in-person experience is invaluable!
- Connection with other carefully selected vendors who are building similar handmade and vintage businesses. We have built a community of fellow small business owners who enjoy supporting one another and building each other up.
- An organized, communicative, and detail-oriented Founder (Janet Long) with 13+ years experience building the business from scratch and her small bit mighty onsite team. She is committed to making your participation smooth, fun, and successful.
- A private Facebook group just for participating vendors which offers opportunities for more virtual connection and sharing of ideas and resources.
- Exposure to the followers of our Facebook and Instagram pages through lots of promotional posts and vendor sneak peeks. We love to promote YOU, and spend a significant amount of time ahead of each Market on vendor promotion on our social media pages. The Markets and vendors are also promoted throughout the season to our opt-in mailing list.
- A gallery of vendors on our website which remains up all season so Market shoppers can discover you before and after each event.
Do you have any testimonials from vendors?
We sure do! Check our some of our revent testominials
here.
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.
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 their participation. 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 before the scheduled Market (Saturday) at the latest. 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 normal outdoor weather conditions which may include precipitation.
Is electricity available?
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 compliance. Please
direct any questions to:
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. We also can't predict how many applicants we will have in each category each season, and certain categories such as jewelry are typically very oversubscribed. All applicants are reviewed with a fresh eye each season. As such, 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.
How do you promote the Markets?
We have developed a strong system of promoting the Markets including:
- Co-promotion with our community partners in each location
- Distribution of posters at key retail shops and restaurants in each location
- Several emails ahead of each Market to our opt-in mailing list
- Promotion on our Instagram and Facebook pages
- Promotion to our Virtual Market Facebook Group
- Local targeted radio ads & targeted local mailing lists
- Street banners and signage hung several weeks prior to each event
- Press outreach to our longstanding contacts
We LOVE to help promote our vendors to generate excitement and buzz to the events. But, the success of the Market is a collaborative effort. We ask that vendors actively partner with us to promote the Markets too.
How/when do I pay the vending fee if I'm accepted?
Accepted vendors will be invoiced by Clover Market in the amount corresponding to the number of Markets you are confirmed for. Payments in full must be paid within 3 business days to confirm your participation. We will begin filling any unpaid spaces from the waitlist after the payment deadline.
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.
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. Jewelry, for example, is always oversubscribed. We often have many more applicants than we have spaces for other handmade products like candles, apothecary, clothing and ceramics. 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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