UP Market - First Open Air Market in Uphams Corner 9/14/13
The first solo open air market in Uphams Corner, dubbed the UP Market, was held on Saturday, September 14. Making the event more festive were individual vendor "tents" providing cover from the elements, a sense of intimacy and the look of private storefronts. The mood was exciting and festive as the vendors hoped for strong sales.
As
part of the ArtPlace grant, DSNI and Main Street scheduled the "first"
solo 2013 UP Market in the Citizens Bank parking lot which was the only
location that could begin to support an open air market event close to
Columbia Road. The organizers did their best to make the event look festive with balloons, a welcoming table close to Columbia Road and music. Most of the vendors were arts related or hand crafters. One artist was painting on the site with completed paintings for sale. Products being sold included Thanksgiving wreaths, photos, greeting cards, T-shirts, jewelry and gift baskets. Of course, several of the local restaurants offered food.
Although Citizens Bank was gracious enough to permit the organizers and vendors to set up before one o'clock, this starting time limitation (Bank customers use the lot until 1pm) limits the open air market to when most of the Uphams Corner foot traffic is gone. Also the chain-link fence created a visual barrier. Some people reported they didn't know an event was taking place.
Students from Harvard University collected demographic and performance data from customers and vendors with the intention of generating a report on what was working and what was not. Although scheduled to close at 4 PM, most of the customers arrived and left between 1 and 2 PM. For the vendors who achieved strong sales, they rated the event a success. For others, they looked forward to another UP Market, hoping for strong sales in the future.
Photos from the September 14 UP Market
Complete set of photos on the Uphams Corner Facebook page HERE
The UP Market as seen from Columbia Rd |
Gregorio Colon and Max MacCarthy |
Mario's Party - great snack food |
Andreas - What is he eating? |
Paintings for sale |
Letrice Seeley selling jewelry |
 |
Liora Beer and college students |
Carol Perez selling hand-made wreaths |
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Posted: May 29, 2014 Nancy J Conrad