what does the french market allow new vendors to sell (New Orleans: appointed, to rent)

[Nico82NO]

To keep it short I won't go into the details of my entire thought process, but out of curiosity I was thinking of things to sel in the french market and researching the application process. On the pdf the have available for jut that research, they have a list of items they don't allow new vendors to sell. What's odd to m is that everything on the list is exactly what vendors sell there. I realize they may feel there is already an abundant supply of vendors or the listed items but the list is extensive. I mean are they looking for original works of art? I mean they sell themselves as a flea market! Why would one make any attempt to sell original paintings or drawings or whatever in a flea market? Its mostly a tourist market anyways, who is going to buy smething like a sculpture and be forced to carry it around all day?

I think this city needs to get its head on straight and start seeing itself for what it is. If they want the french market to be advertised as a flea market then they shouldn't restrict what can be sold, if however they want a colorful variety of local and global oiginal art they souldnt sell that place as a flea market but rather an outdoor art gallery. Am I wrong to think they are alittle hypocritical?

Its kind of like these pawn shop shows that center around the purchasing and selling of rare antiques. You aren't a pawn shop if you are seective for rare and valuable atiques, you're an atique trader. A pawn shop takes people semi-valuable stuff, like guitars, tvs, and stereos, and holds them so they can pay rent when they are short for cash.

I mean I don't know of anyone who seriously sops at the french market for valuable collectable art, books, and clothing(excluding t-shirts, hats, gloves, belts, and socks. Those were on the list). I mean if I have the funds to acquire a stock of merchandise that isn't on the list, then I probably have the money to rent a real retail space. That or I shouldn't have dropped al that cash on inventory.

[Nico82NO]

http://www.frenchmarket.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Application-Process.pdf (broken link) that's a link to the app pdf

Maybe ill sell my couch there... that's not on the list.

[annie_himself]

You should sell "good times."

[Nico82NO]

Lol I think that would fall under one or more of 6 categories in the list as not allowed.
Explicit sexual material
Tour passes
Website solicitations
Drugs & paraphernalia
Surgical tools
Massages

[Nico82NO]

Maybe ill sell pine needles. That's not on the list.

[thepointykitty]

I first visited here in 2008 and was SOOOO disappointed at the lack of local arts and crafts at the French Market, and the whole "flea market" feel. Since then I've seen more and more booths and tables of local artists, and the ones I've spoken to are pretty passionate about improving the market and encouraging more locally made items. I honestly think (and hope!) the time is coming where there will be a "flea market" section and a separate handmade section. All the visitors we've had since we've lived here have been disappointed that the FM was "mostly a crappy flea market".

I've seen the vendor application, too. It's strange that new vendors can't sell what they already allow booths and booths of already! I think the flea market section needs to be smaller, but there also needs to be more variety there. It could actually become a "good" flea market!


We've been here a year and have been vendors at the Freret Market, which is fun. We've talked seriously about doing the French Market a couple of times a month just to get some more handmade items out there. We'll probably drum up some more business (we make costumes and masks) but we mainly just want to help improve the "feel" of the market, and encourage other locals to come on board. I think it would be a benefit to the city if the market became more of a place to buy locally handmade items. You can get visual art (paintings, drawings, etc.) in Jackson Square, but handmade masks, jewelry, dolls, baskets, quilts, etc. are mighty hard to find in the Quarter. It's mostly imported cheap crap.

Edited to add: I just had an idea, OP. If I didn't already have my own handmade products and I wanted to sell at the French Market, I think I'd start a business selling locally made items. You could go to local craft markets (like the Freret Market and the Arts Market in Palmer Park) and find vendors of smaller, "portable" items with a distinct New Orleans "feel" that would interest tourists. Agree on a percentage with the seller, and take the items on consignment. You could sell this stuff in the French Market. I know I would be happy to have someone sell some of my masks like this. You wouldn't have to put up a bunch of money up front for inventory, and you could have a variety of unique items to sell! Just draw up a proper contract and don't take anything super fragile, and it should be pretty easy. I know there are some stores that do this sort of "art collective" thing, but it could work at the market, as well.

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

The french Market used to be so much fun to go to on a weekend! Back in the late 80s it started to get the cheap imported stuff and soon that took over. I think thepointykitty has a great idea for someone to do!

[Bluesmama]

I was there last month and I bought a lot of stuff there. But what I noticed is that a lot of booths sell pretty much the same things. But I view it differently, I guess. There's all the touristy souvenir stuff for the mass in the market, but there's also art work all around the Jackson Park area.

Handmade baskets are a great idea! Where I live I know someone who makes these unique baskets for farmer's markets and, though not cheap, she sells a lot of them.

The enhanced food section is pretty cool.

[thepointykitty]

Originally Posted by Bluesmama

The enhanced food section is pretty cool.

I really like the new food section!

[annie_himself]

I saw some local art in 2009 or 2010 but I liked what I saw. It was packed with people.