by: Lauren Hodges

Capeside Market
Hanover Center • 3501 Oleander Dr.
June 27th, 9am-3pm
www.capesidemarkets.com

“Market” is a scary word to people right now. It seems that no matter where we go, we are confronted by problems in the job market, the housing market and, perhaps the most terrifying of all, the stock market. Even the black market, with its selection of stolen passports and human organs, seems less scary than the idea of money disappearing into thin air. As our economy begins to pick up the pieces, we as consumers are on the search for a market where we can feel comfortable again.

“I am always looking for ways to create new experiences for Hanover Center’s customers,” Bruce Henderson of the often-busy, Oleander-Drive shopping center, says. “Art for the Masses last year drew over 4,000 people on a blistery cold day. It was the start of an idea.”

The idea was to create a market like Masses that would allow arts-and-crafts creators to gather and sell their goods to the public without having to pay a percentage. “We toyed with the idea of a monthly flea market but rejected it as not clean and classy enough,” Henderson says. “Michele of Ken’s Bagels had traveled extensively with Ken when he was a professional rugby player, and had always made it a point to check out the local arts-and-crafts markets. She brought the idea to Hanover Center, came up with the name and started putting out feelers to local artisans. When the response was positive, we decided to go forward.”

Named Capeside Markets after Wilmington’s very own Cape Fear River, the fair launched last month in May, and the high traffic was a huge encouragement to the center’s staff. “The majority of the vendors said they did very well and will be coming back. At least one cancelled another show in Myrtle Beach to join us.”

The Capeside Market, like the art community itself, has several categories and a large variety of artisans on its roster. Kitchenware, ceramics, Christmas items, clothing, gardening, glassware, furniture, jewelry, mosaics, paintings, scuplture, photography, sewing and assorted memorabilia are all included. “Basically, we accept any vendors [who] do their own work, of a high quality, of course, and as Capeside Markets’ reputation grows, so will the reputation of the vendors who showcase with us.”

Above all, Henderson and his staff feel that the market provides an opportunity for both artists and the public to help develop the local art scene. “The additional exposure Capeside Markets can offer is substantial,” he says. “Once Capeside Markets becomes a destination location, more folks will see an artist’s work in one day than in a month at a gallery location. Unlike a gallery that has a significant bricks-and-mortar expense to pass on to the artist, we don’t. For new, emerging artists, the opportunity to reach and sell their work to a broader audience and not pay a percentage of the sale is invaluable.”

As for art patrons, their job is to support the creative community and its wide range of talent. “My wife and I love arts-and-crafts fairs,” Henderson says. “As patrons, we buy what we like and are always looking for original works. Before we moved to Wilmington, we would search out fairs wherever we lived and were always disappointed to find that Wilmington didn’t have one. This is such a creative town, it amazes me.

“Markets draw people, they add to the economic base, offer our tourists another option, and the traffic can spill over to other businesses in the area. We want to grow Capeside Markets into a showcase that will be one of the things that draws people to Wilmington. We want the market to be one of the things for which Wilmington is known.”

The next Capeside Market will be this Saturday. Pedicabs will be on locations to transport shoppers, as well as parking attendants to handle parking. Seating areas and umbrellas, toilent facilities and beverage booths will be available all day.

Interested artists can find information on becoming a vendor online (www.capesidemarket.com). The booth size is 10 x 10, with double booths available. A fee of $50 is asked per vendor for each event. Tables and canopies can be rented for an additional cost.