We are just at the beginning stage of this venture...
We gladly accept applications from good quality vendors!!!
|
|
Where are we located?
Cleveland Craft Nook is located in North Royalton and has over 3,000 square feet of retail space. As you look out of the store's 33' front window, you see Ridge Road (State Route 3) which overlooks our lovely City Green - the heart of North Royalton and the hills and valley of southern Cuyahoga County. It's a great storefront that is prime for your handmade masterpieces! At it's maximum, we fill our store with 125 vendors! The shop is open 7 days a week.
North Royalton's City Green is great for THE Nook!
Located directly across the street from THE Nook is North Royalton's City Green which hosts numerous outdoor events. The Safety Fair, CLE Markets, Annual Garden Sale, NR Home Days 3 day City Fair, annual Pet Carnival, Fall Festival, photos with Santa & Mrs. Claus, numerous parades and many more activities provide quite a large community presence on the City Green and in THE Nook!
What does it cost to be a vendor?
The price ranges, but starts out at $70 for a vendor store. The normal range that you'll see vendors storefronts are $70-$90. Vendors are also able to rent out larger spaces. Vendors do not receive discounts on rent because they "know someone" - meaning that every vendor in the shop is charged the same price per size of booth.
What is a "vendor store"?
Its your space! It's your mini-business, but Cleveland Craft Nook goes a little further. We provide you with all your display fixtures and setup items - so you just need to bring your masterpieces. We use black wire grid with their accessories (E.G., metal hooks, pegs, rods, shelves, baskets, etc). Vendors are able to bring in additional display items, which must be approved. So, for the most part, we have you covered for your display needs. If you need further help with signage, staging, or ideas...we are here to help. Cleveland Craft Nook is looking to create a fairly uniform business model throughout the store so that all are artists and crafter's masterpieces are featured like they should be!
There are a few areas in the store that vendors can fully set up their own stores with their own displays - if you are interested in this let us know. We are careful on what vendor displays are used, so whatever it is, it should be in mint condition and of high quality.
What other monthly fees are their?
None! You monthly rent is it! Cleveland Craft Nook takes care of all sales tax requirements and even does not charge you back for customer credit card purchases*! So...you get 100% of your ticket price when items are sold! *Cleveland Craft Nook pay the vendor credit card fees January-October...vendors pay their individual fees in November & December (typically 3% (credit card transactions only)).
Throughout the year, Cleveland Craft Nook will have special events, such as open houses, where we provide drink and snacks - limited to 3-4 events. During those few events, we may require a $5 or less (typically $3) vendor fee to help offset the cost. Additionally, vendors may be asked to donate a free raffle prize yearly (for our annual July Anniversary and November Christmas Open House). Some of these events we provide customers with a 10% discount on all items during the event.
We are looking for vendors!
We are looking for vendors who made high quality handmade arts and crafts. We are quite selective, as we have to be careful on the selection of vendors based on: repetition of products within the shop, uniqueness of the product being sold, quality of hand craftsmanship, quality of packaging and marketing, and sellability of your item(s) to the general customer. The most common "no" that potential vendors hear from us are: "repetition or similarity of product to other vendors" - with having well over 100 vendors...we have a lot of handmade products already covered by them. "Sellability" is another frequent "no". An item can be made really well, but there might not be much of a demand for it...making it an item that has a lower ability to be sold in a storefront like Cleveland Craft Nook (but might sell great in an online market). We won't take someone's rent money, just to fill up a spot, we want each and every vendor at THE Nook to sell well and be successful micro businesses. So if you see an empty vendor space - don't just assume that you will be filling it...it takes the right match to get the honor of being one of our Nook vendors! As we stated earlier, we are quite selective on what comes into the shop.
Working at Cleveland Craft Nook
Each vendor may need to work 4 hours per month. This comprises of working on the retail floor, wrapping up purchases, assisting with customer service throughout the shop, operating the register, answering the phone, and other common retail shop duties. What does "may need to work" mean? To be honest, we need your commitment of 4 hours per month...but it might be every other month. The periods when we really need help is during the months of October, November and December which is the traditional Christmas busy season. Additionally, not every person is cut out for retail for one of two reasons: they don't understand the register or time constraints (sometimes life is too much with working, kids, parents, and a bunch of commitments) - so if this is the case with you, talk to us and we can always work it out!
Vendors may receive discounts on rent, free rent and/or free/discount additional space if they work more often monthly. If you can work more and you are a good customer service match for the shop - please let us know. Todd/Lisa are always looking for vendors who want to step up and take on additional responsibility!
