600 Block plans indie market for March
Written by Meghan Hoodhood, Feb 8, 2012, 3 Comments
Efforts to strengthen St. Petersburg’s localism are not at all scarce on Central Avenue, as independent shops like Ramblin’ Rose and the Trunk Stylists continue to push the community ahead.
As part of a monthly collaboration within the 600 Block, plans to bring a progressive indie art and design market to the area’s sidewalk in March are underway.
“Our focus is to promote localism by bringing in more independent designers and artists as an alterative to corporate retail,” said Rosey Williams, owner of Ramblin’ Rose. Williams said the 600 Block’s goal is “ultimately to include the larger creative community.”
Vendors and participants are expected to sell herbs and plants, independent design work and electric crafts, among other things, created by “do it yourself” or local, non-profit groups and activists.
“The idea came to all of us [on the 600 Block] at about the same time in an organic process as the next step to becoming a real artist block with independent retailers,” Williams said.
Indie markets have been successful in cities such as Brooklyn and Buffalo, N.Y., where there is high demand for localism and new talent.
The market would also help to increase Saturday business by creating a destination for shoppers, and would give designers and vendors without shops a place to showcase their goods and talents.
Prospective vendors can contact the group at stpeteindiemarket@gmail.com.
Sounds like a great way to get exposure for new artists. Too bad this is so hard to read that many won’t.
Why is it hard to read? I don’t get it.