Spring Market at Voodoo Brewery!

This past weekend, Fruit and Flower Shop took part in a Spring Market hosted by Voodoo Brewery at their headquarters in Meadville, PA. After a long winter and a cold, rainy start to spring, it was refreshing to get out into the sunshine, see friends and family, drink a beer, and share the fruits of my labor.

Operating Fruit and Flower Shop out of my home means that it’s totally integrated into my everyday world- pulling together all the moving parts and pieces of the concept is tricky without a brick and mortar storefront! The furniture and display pieces are all from my personal collection- the baskets, crates, buckets and bowls are all scavenged from my home and garden. Inventory is stashed on palettes in the basement, a window-lined room serves as a photography studio and holds props, a little 9’x7’ studio upstairs bursts at the seams with flowers, foliage, paper and design material. The whole house is turned upside down as the sidewalk is lined with goods and the Uhaul is loaded! Fortunately, it’s a good opportunity to evaluate inventory, reorganize, and get situated.

Fruit and Flower Shop is gearing up for Wild Wind Folk Art and Craft Festival, a two-day juried show of over 150 artisans this fall in Warren, PA. Small pop-up events like the Voodoo Spring market are really valuable crash courses in how best to approach preparation of inventory, transportation, and displays while also being great opportunities to gauge what people are looking for. It’s exciting to see what people respond to and to hear the feedback that often goes unheard when sales are made online.

All of the hard work feels completely worth it once the dust settles and the little 10’x10’ shop comes to life- to greet people, welcome them into my little endeavor and hopefully package up a little slice of Fruit and Flower for them is the most rewarding experience. The support and positivity is fuel for the shop, and is so appreciated- thanks to all who visited and shared such kind feedback!

May 2021