Looking to become a vendor at the Misfit Market?

The Misfit Market

Contact: martysnothere@gmail.com

─

Hi! Thank you for applying to join the Misfit Market! We’re thrilled to welcome you into our market community. The market will take place at Mahtay Cafe on January 5th and then every other Sunday through April. Each market day will run from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, with setup starting promptly at 10:00 am.

To show appreciation for Mahtay Cafe, our gracious host, we encourage all vendors to grab a coffee or snack from the cafe. This small gesture helps strengthen our community partnership!

Below, you’ll find important details and instructions. Please read through everything carefully, and feel free to reach out with any questions. We’re here to help and can’t wait to see you at the market!

Vendor Fees:

The vendor fee is $15. Additionally, 10% of all sales at the end of each market day will be donated to Gillian's Place, a nonprofit organization in St. Catharines dedicated to supporting women & children escaping domestic violence situations. If for some reason you do not sell anything, we will honor the fee you paid and apply it to the next market meaning you do not have to pay. Receipts for fees you paid can be given out via request at the end of the market.

Breakdown for the 10%

If a vendor sells $15 worth of products: 10% of $15 = $15 × 0.10 = $1.50

So, the donation would be **$1.50**.

If a vendor sells $150 worth of products: 10% of $150 = $150 × 0.10 = $15

So, the donation would be **$15**.

Vendor Fee Payments:

Payments should be sent to pettay04@gmail.com. Once payment is received, your spot will be confirmed, as we do have a waitlist. Please include your name in the transfer for reference. The 10% donation from your sales will be paid on the day of the market.

Refund Policy:

Full refunds of $15 are available if you provide at least 3 weeks' notice before your scheduled date.
If less than 3 weeks' notice is given, only a partial refund will be issued, or the payment may be applied as a credit toward your next booking.

Tables:

If you have your own folding table, please bring it. Chairs will be provided, but if you don’t have a table, I can provide one for you as well. Just let me know whether you'll be bringing your own table or need one.

(ONLY BRING ONE TABLE, UNLESS BRINING FOR OTHER VENDOR SPACE IS LIMITED)

How Should I Decorate?

Keep it simple—use different heights, add a tablecloth, and have fun with it! To make your table stand out, try using baskets, crates, or stands to create layers. Display your best items front and center, and use bright colors and clear labels for a welcoming, visually appealing setup.

How Should I Charge?

Keep it affordable—it’s downtown St. Catharines, and not everyone has a big budget. If you wouldn’t pay that price yourself, it might be best not to charge it.

How many people will be at this market?

The success of the market is really up to all of us as vendors. If we share it with friends, family, and coworkers, and spread the word, it’s more likely to do well. You play a key role in making this market a success, and I couldn’t do it without you—so please help get the word out!

That said, keep in mind that this is a new market, and factors like weather, the day, and volume of how busy it is downtown can impact the day. Not every day will be a huge success, but don’t be discouraged. I’ve been to markets where my partner and I sold nothing—does that mean our work wasn’t good? No, it just means the right audience didn’t show up that day. What matters is that you showed up, and that’s something to be proud of. Keep going and stay positive!

Homework For You To Do.

Prepare, prepare. It will come up fast! Also, please email me photos of what you make, along with your Instagram handle and a brief description of what you sell ASAP.

Example but also an introduction from us at marty's print shop!

Hi, I’m Lizzy, and this is my lovely partner Matt. Matt is the artist, and I’m the one behind the scenes—organizing, managing inventory, booking, messaging you through Facebook or Instagram, emailing, and looking for new opportunities. I assist with the paintings, but he’s the one who creates all the beautiful artwork.

Matt has been following his passion for about two years now. This past summer, we lived in British Columbia, and I decided to sign him up for a market—fast forward 8 months, and now we’re in New Zealand. Matt has sold art prints, T-shirts, skate decks, and even painted a mural here! He continues to amaze me every day, and I am so proud of all he’s accomplished. There are definitely high days and low days as an artist,and small business owner but we keep pushing forward.

In a month, we’ll be heading back home, and we wanted to bring something we love with us—markets! We’ve enjoyed the support, being part of a community, and watching others succeed. It’s something we truly value, and we learn so much every day from these experiences.

That being said, please be patient with us—we’re working hard, and there’s a lot of planning involved. We look forward to meeting each of you and supporting you the way we’ve been supported. Remember, markets aren’t a competition—if someone sells something, be proud of it. We’re all starting out and learning together.

Thanks again, everyone!