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courtesy photo
Bristow Artisans and Gardeners Market, BAGM, and Bristow Route 66 Flea Market each open this week, hoping for a packed season of offering Bristowans and area residents new opportunities, socialization, and locally sourced foods and wares with affordability and fun in mind.
Similarities among the markets include that neither organization functions as a business itself or profits from sales, but their vendors do sell products and make money. Vendors consist of individuals, organizations, families, partners, and businesses, joining the markets according to applicable rules.
Both markets thrive by utilizing a vendor/booth sales format for selling and purchasing products; meanwhile, each market organization coordinates events, sets vendor requirements, and creates market structure for vendors, consumers, and the community. Market organizers and board members are also vendors at the markets, simplifying coordination efforts.
Additionally, each market serves the community in its own unique ways. For example, Steve Barton and Tiffany, vendor partners of Barton’s Bargains & Annex at Bristow Route 66 Flea Market, stated that they have “sort of taken charge of reorganizing the flea market” in hopes of restoring it to its former glory around 15 to 20 years ago. They are determined, working with Ann of Granny’s Emporium and Kevin of The Wooden Nickel, to achieve that goal. Together, the group increases awareness of the market and offers free set up to anyone in the community on grassy areas during flea market operational days and hours.
As for their own vendor space and business, Steve and Tiffany said they enjoy being able to offer a variety of goods for Bristowans at affordable prices to help local families be able to meet their needs. They expressed joy in knowing that the market and their business allow them to connect with the community and also showcase new ways to reduce waste, repurpose and salvage used and old items, and offer new, unique items for community members who might otherwise lack the financial ability to purchase from retail and resale stores.
Citing their ability to serve the community via the flea market, Tiffany said, “Everyone wins.” Barton echoed the sentiment, saying “I love helping others. I don’t sell at the market to make money or earn a living. I have a full-time job for that. Being a flea market vendor allows me to share joy and hope with the Bristow community.”
Likewise, BAGM board members and vendors Shane and Sharla Bowling of Rustic
See Markets, Page Three Acres Farm and Sean Taylor look forward to opening day this Saturday at 8 a.m. They noted that BAGM currently has around 25 vendors signed on to participate this season, selling locally sourced and produced vegetables, meats, eggs, artisanal breads and baked goods, honey, handcrafted furniture, housewares, and more. Taylor noted that BAGM “offers some of the lowest vendor fees in the state, allowing vendors to sell their products at more affordable prices”. Why? “To feed and serve Bristowans with quality foods and goods that may otherwise be out of reach for most families.”
BAGM vendor fees are set at $15 per day or $35 for the season. Potential vendors may submit applications and fees to any board member on any Saturday during market operations. Vendor requirements are minimal but include that artisanal items must be made by vendors themselves, and sourced goods must be secured from within 100 miles of Bristow to ensure BAGM wares remain locally grown and produced. Organizers note that there may be limits on certain items.
Moreover, BAGM sets aside all vendor fees throughout the season for donation to a community charitable cause each year. Previous donations were made in support of school supplies, Bristow Area Social Services’ Christmas program, and Bristow Public Schools’ Nutrition Program. BAGM donates all vendor fees back to the community. In offering locally sourced and produced foods and goods at affordable prices while donating all vendor fees back to the community, BAGM fulfills its goal to improve the community’s health by feeding and nurturing its residents’ hearts and minds.
The community can support the markets, in turn, by shopping locally and connecting with vendors to reduce waste and improve community health, repurposing and reusing items, socializing in person and building relationships, consuming healthful foods, and supporting the dedication of farmers and skills of local craftsmen and women.
The flea market opens an extra day—for this week only—on Thursday at 9 a.m. but operates each week on Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the 700 block of South Roland Street. BAGM opens for the season this Saturday at 8 a.m. through noon and operates each Saturday during the same hours through September. BAGM will skip Saturday, May 11, due to the Tabouleh Fest and Wildflower 5K Run. BAGM takes place in the parking lot between Tractor Supply and Charlies Chicken along North Main Street.