The monthly Moonlight Market event will make its return to Gay Street on Saturday, April 12th from 6pm to 11pm for a bigger and better second season. The event offers Downtown shoppers a unique environment to browse artisan products from sidewalk vendors in addition to shopping at the brickandmortar retail businesses on Gay Street during extended evening hours. There are plenty of options for food, drink, and entertainment at the Moonlight Market.
“The Gay Street Collaborative business association intended to create a strolling market that would benefit the retail businesses on Gay Street and that it has done just that,” says Jeff Mathes, owner of Due Amici. “After a grueling winter, we can’t wait for the Moonlight to return!”
With over 60 participating businesses every month, Gay Street comes alive during the Moonlight Market. Here’s what else is new for 2014:
- More retail trucks — One of the most popular features during the first season of the Moonlight Market was our boutique retail trucks. Everything from converted Airstream trailers to delivery trucks pulled up to parking meters to sell their products. New additions this year will include the Pursuit suit truck and the Candle Lab’s mobile candle pouring trailer.
- More popups — Due Amici will debut their new “Il Mercato” popup shop that will take over their private event space at 65 E. Gay Street for onenightonly each month during the Moonlight Market. This popup store will feature housemade Charcuterie, imported Italian foods, and a retail wine shop. Expect more popups to be announced throughout the season.
- More new businesses — Gay Street is everevolving with the addition of new businesses on the street and in the area. Yavonne Sarber’s “Oliver’s” is scheduled to open prior to the launch of the April Moonlight Market, and a “mystery business” is currently under construction at 51 East Gay Street.
“There is great foot traffic at the Moonlight Market,” says Josh Harden, owner of Ghetto Vintage, one of the merchant vendors that participated last year. “It’s a great way to get new customers to our retail location.”
Some of the businesses participating in the Moonlight Market include: Cafe Brioso, Sugardaddy’s, Zen Cha Tea Salon, Zeroz, J. Gumbo’s, Due Amici, Robert Mason, The Flying Gent, Tip Top Kitchen & Cocktails, Plantain Cafe, Cafe Napolitana, Pursuit, Homohio, Car2Go, Columbus Barrel Co, The Boutique Truck, Ghetto Vintage, Red Giraffe Designs, Kifle, Jackpot Treats and many others.
“With extended shop hours and the attraction to Gay Street during the market, we are able to see up to 700 people during the market hours,” says Robert Grimmet, owner of Robert Mason, the popup shop located inside Sugardaddy’s. “It has become our business practice to prepare for Moonlight Market as if it were a holiday with additional assortment, deals and staff.”
The Moonlight Market will continue to run through December due to the success of the extended holiday shopping dates last year.
“The December Moonlight Market was actually our best oneday festival or market to date in terms of sales,” said CJ Shaver, Owner of the Columbus Barrel Co. “It really showcased the impressive following the market has grown.”
The Moonlight Market takes place Second Saturdays from April through December. More information can be found online at www.moonlightmarketcolumbus.com.
Photos by Pam Reece.
