What types of goods can be sold at the Empire Market?

We welcome varieties of the following:  fresh produce (grown by the seller, within a 150 mi radius of Joplin); locally processed meats; locally made cheese; locally grown eggs; handmade jams, jellies, & preserves; homemade baked goods; locally produced wine, beer, and spirits; locally grown plants, flowers, & seeds; local honey, prepared gourmet food; handmade artisan goods; fine art; vintage goods. Have something else you’d like to sell at the Market? Drop us a message and let’s talk!

How much do vendor spaces cost?

Farmer and Artisan Season passes are available for $400, plus 3% of daily sales. This provides for a year of Saturday booth space. A six month pass, good for six consecutive months of your choosing, is $250, plus 3% of daily sales. Three month passes are $150, plus 3% of sales. There are also day passes available, for $25 plus 3% of sales.

Indoor vendors will receive table spaces, or the equivalent of 8’ x 6’ spaces, depending on the restrictions of the building. Outdoor vendors will need tents and will start at 10’ x 10’ spaces and upward. For specific questions about booth size, please contact us at info@joplinempiremarket.com

Okay, I’ve filled out the pre-registration form? Now what?

We’ll be reviewing all forms and contacting you for more information. Once approved, you’ll receive a copy of our Rules & Regulations, a contract, and an invitation to a vendor meeting.

I bought a Season Pass, but I can’t show up every day. Do I get a discount?

Our Season Passes were designed with value in mind (it breaks down to only $7.69 each Saturday!), and thus we are unable to provide refunds for missed days.

I have a food truck. Can I set up at the Market?

We will definitely be looking for a limited amount of food truck and food stand vendors for the Market. The cost for food trucks will be $55 per day.

Will you have a commercial kitchen that food vendors can use?

A commercial kitchen with vendor access is part of our plans for the Market. We’ll keep everyone updated as to the progress with that.

When will the market be open?

The Empire Market is a four-season affair, so we’ll be open year-round. To start, we’ll be open on Saturdays from 10-3, with special events (like Night Markets!) thrown on a more limited basis. We plan to be open more days of the week as we progress. The date of the first market is set for Saturday, April 28, 2018.

How many vendors will be allowed in each category?

We don’t want certain categories to become oversaturated, so we will be looking at this as applications come in. We want high quality vendors, and also want to be able to provide customers with a wide variety of goods.

Is it air-conditioned?

Not at this time. Our facility has indoor space and exterior space for tents. There will be large fans to help keep us cool in warmer weather.

Where will my booth be located?

This will be decided at a later date, based on the applications we get.

Will I have the same space every month?

We cannot guarantee this up front, but it is our goal to have a mixture of permanent and rotating stalls. Vendors who buy the season pass will get first priority on permanent spaces.

Are there bathrooms at the Market?

At this time, we have limited restroom facilities on the Market floor, though they are part of our plans. If the restrooms are not completed by the time the Market is to open, we will have temporary facilities.

When is payment of my booth fees due? And the daily sales percent?

No payment is due when you apply. During this initial period, we will be reviewing applications and getting back to you with questions, rules and regulations, and, if approved, vendor contracts. Invoices for your booth fee will then follow.

The 3% of daily sales fee will be collected before exiting the market each day you sell.

How is the daily sales percentage calculated?

Take your total gross sales for the day and multiply it by .03. That will give you the amount that you owe.

What licenses do I need to sell at the Market?

Each vendor is responsible for knowing the types of licenses they need to sell within the Joplin City limits. Peddler’s licenses are typically required for handicrafts and art; food has it’s own separate set of statutes. Ryan Talken and Annie Duff are the main contacts at the city for food vendors.

Can I get a booth for only one or two Saturdays during the year?

Yes! Day rates for artisans and produce growers are $25 plus 3% of daily sales.

Where can I park?

We have ample parking available. There is our large lot on the east side of the Market complex, a smaller lot to the west that fronts 4th Street (where vendors will park), and some street parking.

Is there a chance that any of this information will change before the Market opening?

Yes! This is a brand new venture on the part of Downtown Joplin Alliance and there will necessarily be things that change as we go. We wanted to get some initial information to you early on, but that means that we’re also still working out the details. We welcome feedback and input from potential vendors and community members!

I still have questions. How do I contact Market staff?

If there’s something we haven’t answered here, feel free to shoot us an email at info@joplinempiremarket.com