Trade Days Time Remaining

A lot of people have ideas for starting a business selling goods that they make as hobby.  Paintings, photographic prints, pottery, woodworks, metal sculptures, soaps, quilts, and the list goes on.  It can be daunting to think about leaving a well paying job for full time self-employment where one’s income is no longer guaranteed.  At the same time, it can also be extremely exhilerating to wonder what it would be like to be one’s own boss.

Flea markets are excellent small business incubators. They are relatively easy to get in to, the upfront costs are small, and customer traffic is almost guaranteed, though sales are not. They are great examples of a free market at work. As they have an almost endless variety of goods that are available for sale, they draw a very diverse market which enables vendors to access varied customer groups.  

Canton First Monday Trade Days attracts people from all over the country and is one of the largest flea markets in the world. The fact that it occurs once a month and, depending on where you rent space,  does not require a long term commitment makes it an excellent place for potential entrepreneurs to test the waters for their wares. For most people, it’s easy enough to get off one weekend in a month to try it out and see if it’s something that they might enjoy. 

Once you’ve decided on what you want to sell, the next decision is where at Canton First Monday Trade Days you are going to set up shop. If you are simply “testing the market” and aren’t really interested in fully committing to your new business immediately, then maybe a good choice is the outdoor section, sometimes called “the fields”.  You’ll need some type of canopy or shelter to keep the elements off you and your wares, so there is an additional cost there if you don’t already own one.  Don’t expect electricity out there, so if you need that (and don’t have a portable source), then one of the covered pavilions or buildings is where you’ll need to be.  

Canton First Monday Trade Days park has no shortage of covered and even climate controlled areas. There are the Arbors, Trade Centers, and Pavilions.  They all have their own requirements and rental pricing.  

The City of Canton owns and operates the following venues:

    • Trade Centers 1, 2, 3 and 4

    • Canton Civic Center

    • Dry Creek Landing

    • Outdoor vendor lots

Information on those can be found at https://www.firstmondaycanton.com/become-a-vendor

If you are looking at one of the other areas of the main Canton First Monday Trade Days grounds (The Lewis Section):

    • Original Trade Days Pavilions I, II, III

    • The Arbors I, II and III

    • The Atrium

    • Pavilions 4000, 4500, 6000, 6500

    • Creekside Shops

    • Outdoor booth spaces

Information is at http://lewisfirstmonday.com/application.html

Don’t forget that to rent any space you’ll be required to have a Texas Sales Permit. It’s free and easy to get from the Texas Comptroller.  https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/permit/

A lot of vendors at Canton First Monday Trade Days make their livings solely through the businesses that operate one weekend a month. Of course, that doesn’t mean that they get the rest of the month off, but it does allow quite a bit of flexibility.  

Once you decide to become a regular vendor, don’t forget about your online presence. The Canton Shopping Guide is here to help you with your online marketing with a plan to suit any budget.