Beckley’s Downtown Market brings local artisans under one roof
By Jenny Harnish, RealWV
Back in November Sarah Carter along with the City of Beckley and the Beckley-Raleigh County Chamber of Commerce decided to try out the idea of a local vendor market for the holiday shopping. They named it Beckley’s Holiday Market and it did so well that Carter decided to make it a permanent fixture.
Carter was inspired by the Capitol Market in Charleston and Tamarack – the idea of giving local artisans a home to sell their creations. Downtown Beckley seemed like a good fit.
“These buildings are already here and they need filled and these vendors are hungry to sell,” she said.
There are currently 18 local vendors represented in what is now Beckley’s Downtown Market on the corner of Main and Kanawha streets. Shoppers can browse items such as handmade jewelry, handmade wood furniture, breads, meats, lamps and coffee. Carter said the response has been overwhelmingly positive.
“A lot of these vendors and crafters – they have nowhere else to sell and they create this stuff for these festivals that cost money to get into. The festivals are great – when you get into them you sell a lot – but they’re 2-3 times a year and then they’re left with product and no sales.”
Carter hopes to have a steady selection of rotating vendors with pop-up vendors on the weekends. Vendors pay a monthly booth fee.
“People that don’t want to do a booth space but have a little time they can pop up on the weekend and get a feel for it – see how they do here,” she said.
Carter’s personal experience as a vendor has contributed to her vision for the store. She worked for coal companies for 20 years. While still working full time she started her own line of lavender beauty products.
“I couldn’t do both anymore so I had to make a decision and I chose to break free. A lot of these craftors they work full time too. So they have jobs but they would still like to sell what they’re so good at.”
“I knew how hard it was, so I wanted them to have an opportunity that was very affordable. This is an excellent location. There is nothing better than this store front.”
Beckley’s Downtown Market is located at 101 Main Street in downtown Beckley. They are open Tuesday-Saturday from 10am-3pm, except Friday when close at 5pm.
