VKC: What makes your market unique? Jana: This is what we try hard to be—unique. We are always brainstorming ways to stand out, and I think we've done that both in atmosphere and in entertainment. We always put on a vintage fashion show and provide entertainment for kids and have brought in high profile musical acts and special guests likeThe Pioneer Woman for our first Kansas City show. We want every- one to feel welcome and have a good time! VKC: What do you love about vintage and handmade items and this community? Jana: We're a tough, laid back, fun and creative bunch!! It always amazes me how creative and hardworking people in this industry are. Re- purposing and building and finding ... it's not easy work either! It's not often a huge money making industry, but everyone I've met who is a vendor or a shop owner, they're so full of Jana: We have a strong online community (more than 370,000 now) that we like to consult before making big decisions (haha!). We knew that we wanted to expand, but where? Vanessa and I asked our online community and the overwhelm- ing answer was Kansas City! I'll admit, I was skep- passion and it's inspiring! VKC: Why Kansas City?
VKC: Where are you from? Jana: Vanessa and I grew up in North Idaho. VKC: Why a vintage market? Jana: Vanessa and I wanted to create an outlet where we could sell furniture that we repurposed and built, and rather than go the route of an antique store, we decided to start a little monthly sale in her garage! Five other vendors joined us for the first one, and we knew after we saw the line formmonth after month that there would be a huge demand for it! We outgrew her garage that first year (even got some threats from the fire marshall for blocking the road!) and moved to a field down the street for our second year! VKC: How do you select vendors? Jana: We carefully select vendors based on the quality of their merchandise and how they pres- ent it. We want people to be inspired by a booth, and our vendors come up with some really unique displays! VKC: Where are your vendors from? Jana: We have vendors from all over! We try hard to bring fresh vendors in from out of state and to make sure that the local favor- ites are there as well. Our markets provide a unique shopping experience with the variety of vendors we get!
tical never having been to KC. We took a scouting trip out last September, and fell in LOVE!! Kansas City is such a charming place with all the antiques and good food you could want! We are honored to be bringing VintageWhites to KC! VKC: What led you to theWest Bottoms? Jana: We went to the West Bottoms on the recommendation of our online friends. We were not there on a First Friday weekend, so we didn't get to explore much. We literally ran into one of the people who owns the venues in the West Bottoms, and he told us we should have a market on the 12th Street bridge! It was totally meant to be, and we cannot wait! VKC: What do you hope to accomplish in KC? Jana: We hope to bring something unique and fun to Kansas City. We want people to look forward to us coming every single year, and we also want our event to bring awareness to all of the amazing talent of the vendors from both in and out of state! What you need to know: • The Pioneer Woman will be there on Friday only doing a meet and greet • There will be different activities on Saturday • Beer gardens on Friday • Tickets available online: universe.com/vwmkc
5 vintagekc summer 2016
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