SAN MERCADO TO PREMIERE @ PRICE CTR DURING SHOP SMALL SAT NOV 24
After two plus years of successfully operating the 4th Flea every fourth Saturday of the month, the Price Center is expanding the concept and focus of the market with a new name, longer hours of operation, live music, more arts, and multi-cultural activities and vendors. San Mercado, will premiere during the annual Shop Small Saturday events on Sat. Nov. 24 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. inside and outside the Price Center in downtown San Marcos.
“The best pop-up markets – Flea or otherwise – we’ve hosted over the past few years at the Center are the ones that have included art, live music, and a variety of goods and products,” said Clay DeStefano, executive director. “The goal of the reboot is to intentionally expand the beyond the Flea Market concept so that more local artists, makers, small entrepreneurs, and especially San Marcos’ large Hispanic and Indigenous communities have affordable, accessible and ongoing opportunities to display and sell their wares to a larger downtown market,” he added.
Pricing for San Mercado booths will remain the same as the 4th Flea for now and, thanks to a grant from the San Marcos Arts Commission, artists, makers, and Hispanic-and-Indigenous-themed vendors will receive 25% off the price of a booth.
San Mercado vendors expected to participate will feature a wide array of gift items, custom artwork, one-of-a-kind creations, unique junk, and more. Entertainment for the Nov. 24th premiere of San Mercado will feature Tracy Weinberg and Friends live from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. and a kid-focused Karaoke-style Community Sing-Along will take place from 2-4 p.m. The Sing-Along will also feature clowns and a kids’ yoga session. Mercado visitors and vendors are encouraged to plan to take in the many small downtown shops and stops that will also be participating in Shop Small Saturday.
Admission to the Mercado is free and open to all. The Price Center will also be offering a variety of drinks and treats for $1 donations, including coffee, soft drinks and water.
Interested in participating? San Mercado booths are available, welcomed and encouraged for both private and retail vendors. “Multi-family” booths welcome. Vendors pay $20 for outdoor booths and $30 for indoor booths. (Be sure to ask if you qualify for the 25% discount.)
Vendor spaces are filled on a first come, first served basis and advanced registration is advised. Participants will need to bring their own tents, tables and necessary display equipment. Set up is from 8-9 a.m. on the day of the event. A limited number of ‘6 tables are available for rent at $10 each.
Proceeds from booth rentals benefit the Price Center, which is operated by the Greater San Marcos Area Seniors Association (GSMASA), a 501 (c) 3 non-profit.
For more information about the 4th Flea, including reserving booth space, please call 512-392-2900, stop by the Center at 222 W. San Antonio St. Mon. – Fri., 9-5 p.m., or visit price-center.org.