Holiday Market Application

HOLIDAY MARKET: DECEMBER 7-8, 10-4 PM

APPLICATION CLOSED (HANDMADE & VINTAGE) - stay tuned for information about our onsite food needs.

After a successful inaugural event, the Holiday Market will return to the 33,000 SF Westtown School Athletic Center/Field House in West Chester PA. This Market will feature 100+ high quality handmade and artisan vendors and a small number of antique vendors. Westtown's beautiful 600 acre campus is accessible from Chester County, the Main Line, Delaware County and beyond.

DATES: Sat. 12/7 & Sun. 12/8, 10-4 pm both days. A Saturday VIP early shopping hour is TBD and being evaluated now.

LOCATION: Westtown School Athletic Center/Field House, 975 Westtown Road, West Chester PA (map below).

IMPORTANT DEADLINES:

• Application Deadline: Mon. July 29, 11 pm EST
• Notifications:  Mon. Aug 5
• Payments Due: Fri. Aug 23, 11:59 pm EST

VENDOR FEE: $400 total for a full sized 10' x 10' indoor spot for 2 days.  Accepted vendors will be billed when notifications go out.  

WHO SHOULD APPLY: we are looking for a diverse mix of high quality vendors with seasonal/holiday gifts and holiday decor. Vendors will be selected based on how their items will contribute to a vibrant shopping environment of varied high quality gifts, and presentation will be an important consideration. Gift sets, stocking stuffers, and winter/holiday items are especially encouraged! 

• Handmade: unique handmade items in all categories including ornaments or other holiday-themed items, jewelry, candles, soaps, clothing, gourmet pantry, leather goods, cards and prints, ceramics, seasonal knitwear, woodworking, affordable original art and home decor. 
• Antique/Vintage: we will include a small number of high quality antique vendors with a gifting, holiday or entertaining focus (e.g. vintage linens, glassware, ornaments, jewelry. No furniture for this Market).
• Food: stay tuned for information regarding our onsite food needs.

We will be looking for unique items in a variety of styles and price points and which would be appropriate for different ages and genders. As with our outdoor Markets, we are specifically looking for vendors who can create inviting, creative and carefully styled displays.  There will be an opportunity to include a photo of a prior holiday event on your application.

AVAILABILITY: we understand the holiday season is busy and weekends are limited. For this Market, you can send a team member to represent your business for some or all of the time. Businesses must be available for both Sat. and Sun., however, and must be able to load in and set up Friday night and load out Sunday night immediately after the close.

SUGGESTED PRICE RANGE: We recommend $50 and under as a sweet spot for pricing, although last year's vendors sold well at higher price points too. Having a variety of items and price points is always recommended. 

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 spaces.

SHARED SPOTS: spaces can be shared for up to 2 vendors but both must apply and be accepted to vend. If only one of the two vendors is accepted, the space will be offered to the accepted vendor as a solo spot.

CANCELLATION POLICY: a 50% refund is available for vendor cancellations before Sept 23. There are no refunds for vendor cancellations after Sept 23 (this takes into account how early holiday shows are booked, making finding substitutions much more difficult on our end). 

WEATHER: The Market is indoors and will be held rain, snow or shine. 

OTHER IMPORTANT NOTES:

• This is a family-friendly event on a drug, alcohol and tobacco free school campus. All merchandise must be appropriate for all ages. 
• Vendors must be able to fully load in and set up on Fri. evening (7:30-10:30 pm, although we may be able to access the space earlier) and break down Sunday evening immediately after the Market close at 4 pm.
• For Friday night load in only, vendors will park in the adjacent North parking lot or at the curbside next to the building (NEW this year) to dolly in.
• The roadway into the building at the large rolling door is inclined; carts, hand trucks or dollies in which items can be secured will be ideal. There will also be a side entrance available, first come first serve on those spots.
• A dedicated wifi will be set up for vendors during the event.
• Vendors will have a full 10' x 10' space and no constraints on displays.  However, tents and tent frames can NOT be brought. 
• Vendors are located on the main Athletic Center floor which has good overhead lighting, a wall of large windows and a light soft rubber floor. 
• Perimeter spots will have access to electric outlets in the walls, interior spots will not have access to electric but the space is bright.
• We do not take specific space requests, and will spend considerable time putting together a layout that will be interesting and appealing to customers and benefit vendors as well in terms of placement.
• The building is locked overnight with security and cameras present so everything can be left in place over the weekend.
• Vendors will have time to restock merchandise on Sunday morning before the opening of the Market if needed.
• All vendor parking during Market open hours is at the South lot (<.2 of a mile or 5 minutes walk at a slow pace, see map below).

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IMAGES: 

Campus Map (vendors park and dolly in from North Lot & sidewalk Friday night, vendor parking is at the South Lot during Market open hours Sat and Sun).

A shot of part of the main vending area to give a sense of size.

The inclined roadway onto the vending floor through the large rolling door. A side door will also be available next to the building (first come first serve):