Filling Empty Space

     Working every single day researching, hunting, and stalking, local talent is not an easy task.  Scouring the cities of South Bend, Mishawaka, Elkhart, Goshen, Granger, and Niles, MI has uncovered many, many, many talented folks.  Some have had the luck of not having to hear from me because the craft that they are in has already been covered, so I save them for later .....

     If you've ever planned an event such as this, then you know that its not a "sit back and put your feet up" type of job.  I mean, vendors don't just come falling at your feet.  As a vendor myself, I know that putting out that money for a booth is a difficult decision.  Depending on what you sell and how much you sell it for, it might take you a good part of your inventory to cover your booth fee.  Times when the vendor doesn't make a sale can be a hard pill to swallow.  The vendor wonders if it will be a worthwhile event.  Is it getting the advertising/marketing it needs?   With all this in mind, one has to remember that not only is the vendor needing to earn more than just their booth fees back, but the event planner also needs funds to help pay for marketing/advertising, space rental, insurance, and of course, finding the right vendors for the event.

    Moreover,  I think the worst part of this process is waiting for a vendor to give you a "yes" or "no" answer as to whether they will be participating in the event.  So, vendors, please understand that we would prefer you to be straight forward with us, don't tell us what you think we want to hear.  You might not believe this, but every time the email "bling" sounds, its like that feeling you get when waiting for that "special" person that you have met to call you ... every time the phone rings, your heart skips a beat ..... no?  In addition, it's like being told "you do not have the experience we are looking for" when no one will give you the opportunity to experience the experience needed.

Why Not Bazaar Sundays?

    Finally feeling official.  After two weeks of waiting, we received our name change on our Facebook page, phew!  It's not that we do not want to be recognized as Bazaar Sunday at the State, we just want everyone to know that we are still in South Bend, just not at the State theater - that's confusing.

    With our new event on Sunday, July 20th we are hoping to attract a great bunch of people, both as vendors and customers.   We have so much great talent all around us, it is unbelievable that they continue to go unnoticed.  Sure, many have their own brick and mortar shops in which we congratulate for meeting their goal, but what about the virtual shops?  Many talented creators can be found on websites such as Etsy, ArtFire, etc., but is that enough?  Personally, a search through the Etsy website introduced this writer to many, many artists in the South Bend area alone.

     Bazaar Sundays welcomes talented folks to give us a try.  Invite friends, neighbors, and family to our first event.  Enjoy lunch at the Emporium, or take in the beautiful view that houses vocal, and instrumental talent.  The East Race Waterway will be open from 12:30 pm to 4:30 pm on Sundays.  Why not shop, eat, race!

What's Going On?

     At first the initial impact of learning that Bazaar Sunday "at The State" would be no more was, to say the least, not what anyone could have foreseen.  We met some wonderful people, made new friends and contacts ..... we became a family.  Some of our family have become small business owners and opened their own shop, while others moved away to follow their dream with plans for success on their minds. 

     Yes, we had a good run at The State, but now we must move on.  Just down the road, not too far from where we first began. We will be in good company with  The Mole Hole, The Bee Hive, Just Goods, Marigolds and Ali Oesch Jewelry.  Of course, we will have Junk Evolution which is not too far, just down the "Hill" a bit.  Not everyone will be open on a Sunday, but we will ...... at 121 S. Niles Avenue at the corner of Jefferson Ave.  

     Plans to continue Bazaar Sunday began on Tuesday, June 3rd with new layout plans situated in a few different areas of the Emporium building.  The former Mole Hole store space will be the first step into Bazaar Sunday with much more to offer down the hall and into Velvet Canada's Dancehipology where we will keep things movin' and shakin'.

     We ask for you to keep patient, we won't leave you wondering what happens next.  All we ask is for you to stay tuned, we'll be back shortly.