All Over Albany

Saratoga Artisans and Crafters' Market

Who: Marianne "Frenchy" Loeb

Project: Move the Saratoga Artisans and Crafters' Market into the next phase of being a successful market that would benefit the small business vendors, the City of Saratoga Springs (in sales tax collections and rental revenue), and the tourists and tourism of Saratoga Springs. The market is planned to be an annual event that will be enjoyed and beneficial to the local community for years to come.

Marianne "Frenchy" Loeb is an artist and jewelry designer from Saratoga Springs, NY who believes in a local economy, with business opportunities for local artists, artisans, crafters and producers of food and specialty products. In the past, Frenchy has been a gallery owner in the Beekman Street Art District of Saratoga Springs, and is currently a vendor/member of the Saratoga Farmers' Market and also sells her jewelry through Saratoga Trunk, a fine ladies clothing boutique on Broadway. Ms. Loeb is a member of Sustainable Saratoga, a non-profit organization located in Saratoga Springs, NY.

A concern that many artists, crafters and service providers have no outlet to sell their arts and products, has led Frenchy to look into alternatives for small businesses who have no storefront. The Saratoga Farmers' Market only allows 10% of their vendors to be crafts, and there is a long wait-list for applicants in that category (other than farmers and food producers). Frenchy is currently in the process of obtaining approval from the City of Saratoga Springs for a Special Events Permit, and has already obtained a contract to rent High Rock Pavilions for the market. Approval of the Special Event Permit is expected by the City of Saratoga Springs in the next week or two.

An all local-first, venue of artists and crafters with food vendors and music; the proposed Saratoga Artistans and Crafters' Market will be located at the High Rock Pavilions on Thursdays, from 10am to 4pm, beginning June 21, 2012 and running through September 27, 2012. This market will open up a local economic opportunity for local small business for artists, painters, potters, jewelry makers, specialty services such as massage therapy, food vendors and more. The market can hold up to 50 vendors, who may apply for any or all of the market dates, as needed, in the dates of their choice, with a variety of booth packages, sizes and costs, varying from as little as $30 per day to $55 per day.

A start-up cost of $750 for the Special Event Permit ($50 per day for 15 market days), and $750 for start-up costs of advertisement of the market, as well as the considerable cost of contract for rental of High Rock Pavilions from the City of Saratoga Springs $6000 ($400 per day for 15 market days) are the reasons for Frenchy Loeb's request for a grant from Start-Ups.

An image of the proposed event, and the application for vendors may be viewed online.

The $1500 start-up grant would pay for the Special Event Permit ($750) and the remaining $750 would be used directly for newspaper advertisements and marketing for Community Notification. This would move the Saratoga Artisans and Crafters' Market into the next phase of being a successful market that would benefit the small business vendors, the City of Saratoga Springs (in sales tax collections and rental revenue), and the tourists and tourism of Saratoga Springs. The market is planned to be an annual event that will be enjoyed and beneficial to the local community for years to come.

Thank you for this fine opportunity to be of service to others.