Here we are…at the beginning of a brand new decade. I love a fresh start, but I also think growth continues through reflection. Thinking back, this will be the eighth year of organizing monthly markets for me. March 2013, Pop-Up Sunday opened it’s very first market in a small Glenwood South parking lot with 5 vendors, a food truck and a vision of something amazing. Three years later, it was obvious the community was ready for a bigger market, so Pop-Up Raleigh was branded and moved to Trophy on Maywood Avenue. Twelve months a year, every 3rd Saturday afternoon, the working brewery is packed with over 40 of the best makers and shakers in town. I am proud of this market and the friendships that have formed around tables and between tents each month.
Pop-Up Raleigh continues to inspire and support other markets and events in the area. Personally, I have enjoyed having a front row seat to the growth of this new retail platform and love being part of the grass roots response to Raleigh’s recent commercial growth. Not ONE market can support all the local makers, but our community must continue to support the artisans. They are the heartbeat of our southern city and what keeps Raleigh cool. Every month, the market continues to have a long waiting list of creatives. It is bittersweet because I wish we had room for everyone, but balancing saturated categories and trends is crucial for the success and sales of participants. My goals remain the same; to introduce and witness makers turn a hobby into a sustainable career, offer a fun environment for the community to gather and continue to support and promote good things about Raleigh and the pop-up market scene.
In 2020, the plan is to continue to grow in the community with support from great, local businesses. I am NOT adding more market dates, but I want to help participating vendors grow and sell between events while highlighting NC businesses that support our market. Competing with big budget advertising, algorithms and branding is a constant struggle for artisans and small businesses. Pop-Up Raleigh has an combined organic following of over 10.5k on Facebook & Instagram. Those numbers represent people that love what we are doing and who we support. I will continue to promote positive events and people in the Raleigh community through Pop-Up Raleigh’s website, social media and local gatherings. If you have something you think I should know about, please email me (info@popupraleigh.com). Thank you for being a constant support for us keeping Raleigh awesome.
Cheers to you and everything you love coming to fruition in 2020,
Tracey Johnson
