Well, it looks like there's a new gorilla on the horizon in the outdoor market biz: Grays Harbor Street Market in Aberdeen, Wash.
I got an email this morning asking me if I'd be interested in vending there on weekends from the market manager. They'll be running Saturdays and Sundays from May to October, starting late enough for plenty of time to get up there and set up without getting up at 4 a.m.
The manager had some pretty compelling statistics ... Astoria gets only 3,000 passing through on a regular market day (I think that's a very high estimate), whereas Aberdeen gets an average of 17,000, minimum, as people pass through on their way to the northern beaches. And of course, the Grays Harbor market will be right on US 101.
All of which made me ponder the Astoria Sunday Market once more. Why do I even do it? Aside from the fact that it's conveniently located for me, that is.
There's little foot traffic, there's favoritism on the part of market management (ask any vendor who hasn't puckered up to kiss ass about that one), there are too many vendors for such a small amount of consumer traffic, and the vendors have absolutely no say in what goes on, since its a monarchy. I mean, where's the plus side, aside from convenience?
Last year I had high hopes for the Longview, Wash. Saturday market. No soap. They had a great location, but they forgot one essential detail ... they didn't advertise, so nobody had a friggin' clue they even existed. One Saturday in August, I was driving through Longview, and was there even ONE stinking sign saying there was a market and how to get to it? You'd think the city would have sprung for one billboard or something. Nope. Nada. Forget it.
The market in Ilwaco, Wash., is run by a wonderful lady, Sharon Saunders, who actually cares about her vendors (a small miracle, right there). But the disadvantage is that the market is directly on the waterfront and subject to whatever happens to blow in off the Pacific Ocean. Which could be one, or several, squalls a day, and there's no protection for the vendors' tents or merchandise. I've already had one tent torqued beyond help over there.
So hello, Aberdeen, I'll give it a shot. At least people passing through can't miss the damn thing, and it's not right on the water.
7 comments:
She is back!
Welcome back!
Personally, the market isn't loyal to you, so you need to go where it's best for you--whether that be how you're treated or how much your profits are. To thine own self...
Yup, I'm back!
You hit the nail on the head, Mom ... it's about loyalty - or rather, the lack of it.
The ASM is nothing more than a money-generator for the city and the market managers, and they don't give a hoot in hell about the cash cows (vendors).
I'm by no means the only vendor who feels that way, either, despite the loud and toadying protestations of the faithful.
Fingers crossed this new market is a success ...
They need to stop acting like it's a privilege to have a booth there, clearly they have forgotten who pays the space fees. Perhaps this new market will help them out in that respect.
I never really liked the Sunday Market being on 12th street. We had a pretty good Saturday market but wasn't visible. I heard that the city received a grant(money from somewhere) and completely forgot about the original Market and went and made a new one. Having one of the "owners" on the city council it not good. THINGS WILL NOT CHANGE, How much does the citizens of Astoria get for this onconvienece and all the peole backed up for miles at times due to the traffic mess this Sunday Market makes!!!!
Mom,
You're so right.
But you know how it goes ... they grab the golden eggs and starve the goose that lays them; then they scratch their heads, wondering what the hell happened when the money stops rolling in.
Anonymous ...
A lot of my friends remember when it was NOT on 12th Street. And I agree, it is absolutely a conflict of interest for the market manager to be on the city council.
I don't know about the traffic inconvenience. Last year it couldn't have been all that bad - there was hardly anyone at the market but the vendors, and we all have to park away from the market.
Much as I'm going to dread the drive to Aberdeen, I guess quite a few vendors are going to do it. Hope it works out.
Bigger news Thartill is back. Where's he been.
Do they allow dogs at that market? If not I'll visit it.
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