Application Process  

  • Complete application form.
  • Provide either photo samples, or set up a meeting date and time for items to be brought in.
  • Upon approval of items, vendor start date will be determined by Market staff.

The Kitchener Market reserves the right to limit the number of Artisans who sell similar items. Individuals interested in being placed on a waiting list will be notified when a space becomes available. 

Rates for 2024

  • The Kitchener Market offers one standard rate for all tables in all Artisan Area locations.
  • Artisan vendor payments must be made two full weeks prior to the intended Saturday.
  • Rental payments can be made online, Market staff will send the vendor a bill via Activenet. Receipts will be issued upon payment.
  • All booked dates will require a 50% deposit at the time of booking. Remaining payment is required two weeks prior to the Saturday that the vendor has booked, and all payments are non-refundable. The vendor is solely responsible to make payments by the designated time, failing to do so will forfeit the vendor spot.
  • In case of emergencies, cancellations must be received by the City of Kitchener Market staff by 4 p.m. of the previous day. The City reserves the right to adjust or alter the policies and regulations as is necessary for the operation of the Kitchener Market.
  • In the summer months, rates include the use of one 10x10 tent which will be set up by Market staff Saturday morning. In the winter months, rates include the use of one 6ft table. In the event of rain, summer bookings will move indoors and vendors will be given a 6ft table.
  • In the summer months, an optional Table Fee of $10.00 is available, which will include one 6ft folding table and one chair, set up by Market staff on Saturday morning. 
  • Current rate summer for 2024: $75.00 per table incl. HST

Booking information

Vendors may book individual pop-up dates within a month. Vendors can request more than one pop-up date per month. Spots are not guaranteed - if the stalls are full at the time of booking the Market staff may suggest an alternate date. 

Note: Market staff will determine the placement of vendor locations based on product offerings. The decision of market staff is to be considered final. 

Other important information

  • Vendors may not sublet or rent out their booth to another seller.
  • Vendors are encouraged to attend the Market in person to sell their own products.
  • Booths should have an attractive and professional appearance, enhanced by good presentation and cleanliness. All items must fit within the 10x10 tent (summer months) or 6ft table (winter months) provided by Market staff, if items exceed this range a Market staff will request the item’s removal immediately. 

Artisan vendors hours of operation

Saturday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

  • Vendors must be set up by 7 a.m. and stay until 2 p.m. on market day. Latecomers will forfeit their spot for that day. Late setups and early takedowns are very disruptive to the customers and other vendors. Set up can be done between 6 to 7 a.m. on Saturday. If you are not able to get to the Kitchener Market, please discuss this with Market staff ahead of time. The main phone number is 519-741-2287.
  • Vendors must be fully packed and ready to leave 1 hour after the close of the market. Vendors may not leave the Market early, doing so may result in the vendor being declined for future bookings. In addition, vendors must not begin to tear down or pack away products before 2 p.m. 

Security

The Kitchener Market has security that patrols the area however the venue is a downtown public space. It is the exhibitor’s responsibility to watch your items at all times. Do not leave your booth unattended. The Kitchener Market is not responsible for theft or damage on any items at any time.

Parking

  • Vendors must drive slowly at all times while on the Market site. Vendors who repeatedly drive in a hazardous and unsafe manner may be requested to unload outside the Market site and load in manually or with the use of loading equipment.
  • Vendors who need to park a vehicle may purchase pay-as-you-use parking passes from market staff for the upper floor market square parking lot at Scott and Duke streets.
  • Vendors should not park in the P2 basement garage, as these spots are reserved for our customers. Vendors who are found to be parking in these spots may face punitive action, up to and including having future bookings cancelled.

Popular parking options

Find more parking options.

Loading and unloading 

Vendors may make use of street parking on King St. during loading/unloading. Follow City of Kitchener idling bylaws. Please do not block the front doors while loading or unloading. 

Policies and procedures for artisan vendors

Rules and Regulations

  1. All products sold must comply with all Federal, Provincial and Municipal laws, standards and policies regarding the sale of these products.
  2. The City reserves the right to schedule the rotation of Artisan to provide a changing selection for customers.
  3. The reservation dates for spots will be allocated in a manner viewed as being in the best interests of the City.
  4. If, at the sole discretion of the City, an Artisan is not making a positive contribution to the Kitchener Market, is the recipient of complaints concerning product quality, or is not in compliance with the Kitchener Market Vendor Code of Conduct, then the Artisan may lose the right to sell within the Kitchener Market. The City will not be obliged to refund any rental payments.
  5. Artisan vendor’s merchandise must be displayed in a manner approved by the City, at the City’s sole discretion. Tents are the only equipment pieces provided to a Artisan vendor, a table and chair may be booked at an additional fee.
  6. All displays must be safe and aesthetically pleasing, at the sole discretion of the City, and in accordance with City policies.
  7. Signage shall contain no misleading information.
  8. Common aisles must be kept clear of all equipment and stock at all times. All additional equipment must be stored out of view within the assigned licensed space.
  9. Artisan vendors are solely responsible for clean up of the assigned licensed space.

Artisan vendor hours

Saturday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

  • Artisan vendors are to be fully operational no later than 7 a.m. and begin tear down no earlier than 2 p.m. on Saturdays.
  • Location for vendor displays
  • November to April: indoors on lower level
  • May to October: outdoors on Eby Street

Note: In the summer months, artisan vendors may be relocated to the lower level of the indoor market due to poor weather. This decision will be made before the opening of the market on any given day. This decision will be made at the discretion of the market team and is final. 

  • Artisan vendors are required to vacate the Kitchener Market premises within one hour after closing. Kitchener Market’s hours and space allocation are subject to change at the discretion of the City.

Rates

The price points vary depending on frontage that is available from month to month. The following is a breakdown of the price points. The months of July, August, and September are all considered to be summer months.

Winter Rate

$57.86 tax included Indoor Artisan position comprised of a 6 ft frontage and a 6ft x 2.5ft table, chair, and tablecloth are included. There will be a minimum of 2.5 ft of space behind the table.

Summer Rate

$75.00 tax included Outdoor artisan position comprised of 10 ft of frontage under a tent back-to-back with another artisan. A table and chair are included.

Summer Rate 10ft x 10ft

$150.00 tax included Outdoor artisan position comprised of a 10 ft x 10 ft space with a minimum of 10ft of frontage under a tent.  A table and chair are included.

Special Event Rate Indoor rate

$80.00 tax included Artisan indoor position comprised of a 6 ft frontage and a 6ft x 2.5ft table and single chair. *Varies in accordance with the special event. *

Special Event Rate Summer Rate

$85.00 tax included Outdoor artisan position comprised of 10 ft of frontage under a tent back-to-back with another artisan. A table and chair are included. *Varies in accordance with the special event. *

Special Event Rate Summer Rate 10ft x 10ft

$160.00 tax included Outdoor artisan position comprised of a 10 ft x 10 ft space with a minimum of 10ft of frontage under a tent.  A table and chair are included. *Varies in accordance with the special event. *

 

Payment

  1. Artisan vendor payment must be made in full two weeks prior to the intended Saturday. Bookings cannot be finalized without receipt of payment. Vendors who arrive at the market without an approved and paid booking will not be permitted to set up their booth.
  2. Rental payments can be made online or by cheque, Market staff will send the vendor a bill via Activenet. Receipts will be issued upon payment. We do not accept cash as payment for artisan bookings.
  3. Payments are non-refundable.
  4. In case of emergencies, cancellations must be received by the City Kitchener Market staff by 4 p.m. of the previous day. The City reserves the right to adjust or alter the policies and regulations as is necessary for the operation of the Kitchener Market.

Waiver of rights

The Vendor (for itself and its insurer) hereby releases the City and its employees and agents and waives any rights, including rights of subrogation; it may have against them for compensation for any loss or damage occasioned by Vendor or loss of use of property of the Vendor.

Covenants joint and several

If there is more than one proprietor or partner in the Vendor’s business all covenants and agreements on the part of the Vendor are joint and several by such persons.

Severability

If any provision in this Agreement is held by any court to be invalid, void, or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will nevertheless continue in full force and effect.

Hold Harmless

The Vendor personally, and jointly and severally, agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the City from and against any and all losses, claims, actions, damages, liabilities, costs and expenses, including reasonable legal fees, in connection with loss of life, personal injury, damage to property or any other loss or injury whatsoever, arising from or out of any occurrence in, upon or at the Vendor licensed premises or at the Kitchener Market, or arising from or out of the occupancy or use by the Vendor of the licensed premises or the Market by the Vendor. If the City shall be made a party to any litigation commenced by or against the Vendor, then the Vendor shall protect, indemnify and hold the City harmless and shall pay all costs, expenses and reasonable legal fees incurred or paid by the City in connection with such litigation. The Vendor shall also pay all costs, expenses and legal fees that may be incurred or paid by the City in enforcing the terms covenants and conditions of this Agreement.

Conduct of Business

The Vendor agrees to abide by all the rules and regulations established by the City, as determined in the City’s sole discretion and as detailed in this license agreement.

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Kitchener Market
Kitchener Market, 300 King St E, Kitchener, ON N2H 2V5

Phone: 519-741-2287
TTY: 1-866-969-9994
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