Ever since I started Harlequin Tea, it’s been in my dreams to one day have a booth at Canton First Monday Trade Days. Even though it is like a lottery it is a special environment there. People coming from all over the world and just shop. But with that said, Canton has its good and its bad. One thing is the weather. Even though some of the area is under Pavilions it is still hot. Very hot! And all the work. You have to take up and down everything. Maybe not all of it but a lot because you never know what goes on there overnight.
When I started to plan in the beginning of the year I saw that there were three months that I would be able to attend First Monday. So now when it is getting closer I started to do more serious research about where I wanted to be. And it was during that time I found Canton Marketplace.

It is an indoor facility with over 200 vendors. So it doesn’t matter if it is raining or 100+ degree outside, it is still comfortable. They offer free parking, they have their own food court, clean bathrooms etc etc etc. It is located between the original grounds and I20 so people pass it as they come or leave.
So I started to count my money and I kid you not. It is less money to have a booth at the marketplace than at the original grounds if you include the parking. It’s a no-brainer for me. Not having to be outside in the heat or if it is raining… yes please!

Yesterday I went to look at the facility. I was met by super nice staff who had prepared a bunch of paperwork for me. We had spoken the day before and she had emailed me some of it already. She gave me a map with all available spots and I walked around to look at where I wanted to be. I found four alternatives and when I came back to the office it was just to sign and pay.

The spot that I wanted was a corner spot. It is currently occupied until the September show so for the August show I will house next door.

I am allowed to make it “my space” so now I have to think about how I want to decorate it. How do I make it Harlequin Tea style? I love that the spot I will house in August is all black. It makes my products pop so not impossible that I do something similar to that. But think of all the opportunities I have when I have a corner spot! I am so thrilled!

So if you look at a map this is where you will find me:

This will be simply awesome. I am so excited. The tricky thing with Canton, or any event for that matter is that you don’t know what to expect!!! But here I will be able to sell my tea as well as expand my product line. I can sell ready drinks, I can sell mugs, you name it. The possibilities are endless.