Taste of Pound Homemade Cakes<\/a>, the wait was even longer.<\/p>\nRhodes spent nearly two years on the waiting list before finally securing a vendor space after the market expanded.<\/p>\n
\u201cI definitely believe in my product,\u201d Rhodes says. \u201cIt\u2019s a huge venue for small businesses because you get a variety of customers.\u201d<\/p>\n
She says the market\u2019s foot traffic has helped introduce her cakes to new customers and create repeat business through social media and word of mouth.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve heard customers say, \u2018We saw you on Instagram\u2019 or \u2018We saw you on Facebook and had to come try it,\u2019\u201d Rhodes says.<\/p>\n
The market also works to maintain a diverse mix of vendors, balancing produce, prepared foods, crafts, and specialty products so that businesses have room to stand out while giving shoppers a wide variety of options.<\/p>\n
The Midtown Association says all vendor spaces are currently full, and the market has a substantial waiting list. <\/p>\n
Businesses interested in becoming vendors should apply through the market\u2019s online process<\/a>, where applications are reviewed against vendor criteria and available space in each product category. The market expects to begin accepting new vendor applications again Saturday, Aug. 1.<\/p>\nThe Midtown Association encourages more Black-owned vendors to apply, especially for prepared on-site and prepackaged food vendors.<\/p>\n
For entrepreneurs such as McIntyre, the Midtown Farmers Market represents more than a place to sell products. It gives a chance to build a community, and grow a business, one weekend at a time.<\/p>\n