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    The Moonlight Market Returns to Gay Street for 2014 Season

    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 brickĀ­andĀ­mortar retail businesses on Gay Street during extended evening hours. There are plenty of options for food, drink, and entertainment at the Moonlight Market.

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    ā€œThe 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,ā€ says Jeff Mathes, owner of Due Amici. ā€œAfter a grueling winter, we canā€™t wait for the Moonlight to return!ā€

    With over 60 participating businesses every month, Gay Street comes alive during the Moonlight Market. Hereā€™s what else is new for 2014:

    • More retail trucks ā€” 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 Labā€™s mobile candle pouring trailer.
    • More popĀ­ups ā€” Due Amici will debut their new ā€œIl Mercatoā€ popĀ­up shop that will take over their private event space at 65 E. Gay Street for oneĀ­nightĀ­only each month during the Moonlight Market. This popĀ­up store will feature houseĀ­made Charcuterie, imported Italian foods, and a retail wine shop. Expect more popĀ­ups to be announced throughout the season.
    • More new businesses ā€” Gay Street is everĀ­evolving with the addition of new businesses on the street and in the area. Yavonne Sarberā€™s ā€œOliverā€™sā€ is scheduled to open prior to the launch of the April Moonlight Market, and a ā€œmystery businessā€ is currently under construction at 51 East Gay Street.

    ā€œThere is great foot traffic at the Moonlight Market,ā€ says Josh Harden, owner of Ghetto Vintage, one of the merchant vendors that participated last year. ā€œIt’s a great way to get new customers to our retail location.ā€

    Some of the businesses participating in the Moonlight Market include: Cafe Brioso, Sugardaddyā€™s, Zen Cha Tea Salon, Zeroz, J. Gumboā€™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.

    ā€œWith 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,ā€ says Robert Grimmet, owner of Robert Mason, theĀ popĀ­up shop located inside Sugardaddyā€™s. ā€œIt has become our business practice to prepare for Moonlight Market as if it were a holiday with additional assortment, deals and staff.ā€

    The Moonlight Market will continue to run through December due to the success of the extended holiday shopping dates last year.

    ā€œThe December Moonlight Market was actually our best oneĀ­day festival or market to date in terms of sales,ā€ said CJ Shaver, Owner of the Columbus Barrel Co. ā€œIt really showcased the impressive following the market has grown.ā€

    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.

     

     

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    Walker Evans
    Walker Evanshttps://columbusunderground.com
    Walker Evans is the co-founder of Columbus Underground, along with his wife and business partner Anne Evans. Walker has turned local media into a full time career over the past decade and serves on multiple boards and committees throughout the community.
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