Flagship Market was created from a pretty simple idea: we felt Erie was missing a space like this.
Erie has an incredible number of small businesses, entrepreneurs, makers, collectors, resellers and people trying to turn an idea or hobby into something more. At the same time, opening a traditional storefront isn't realistic for everyone. Between rent, utilities, staffing and all of the other expenses that come with running a retail location, there aren't always a lot of affordable ways for someone to get their products in front of people and start building a customer base.
That's where the idea for Flagship Market began.
Our goal is to create an indoor marketplace where local businesses and vendors can set up shop for the weekend without the commitment and expense of operating their own storefront. Inside our 8,000-square-foot space, you'll find a mix of small businesses, makers, artists, vintage and resale vendors, collectors, specialty products, food and plenty of things you probably weren't expecting to find when you walked through the door.
We don't want Flagship to feel exactly the same every time you visit. Part of what makes a market fun is not knowing exactly what you'll find. Vendors can change, new businesses can join us and different events can bring something completely new into the building. Our hope is that you'll always have a reason to come back and see what's happening.
More Than a Weekend Market
From the beginning, we also knew we didn't want Flagship to be a building that was only used a couple of days each week. One of the things we believe Erie is lacking is a large, flexible and affordable indoor space that local people and organizations can use to bring their own ideas to life.
That's why Flagship Market will also operate as an event venue when the regular market isn't taking place. Our wide-open 8,000-square-foot floor can be transformed for vendor and craft shows, card and collectible shows, expos, fundraisers, business events, community gatherings, holiday markets, private events and plenty of other uses.
If someone in Erie has a great idea for an event but doesn't have the space to make it happen, we want Flagship to be one of the first places they think of.
A Place for Local Businesses to Grow
Flagship is also about giving people an opportunity.
Some of our vendors may already operate established local businesses. Others may sell online, work out of their homes or spend their weekends traveling to shows and markets. And some may be setting up a booth and selling to the public for the very first time.
We want there to be room for all of them.
A small booth at a weekend market may not seem like much, but for the right person it can be a place to test an idea, meet customers, learn what sells and start building a real business. We want Flagship to make that opportunity more accessible while also giving established businesses another way to reach the Erie community.
And when people choose to shop here, they're doing more than buying a product. The money they spend is supporting local businesses, local families and people in our own community who decided to take a chance on something of their own.
Local. Community. Erie.
Those three words really sum up what we want Flagship Market to become.
We want to support local businesses and give them another place to grow. We want to create a sense of community where vendors, customers, organizations and local entrepreneurs can come together. And most importantly, we're building it here in Erie, for Erie.
There are a lot of talented and creative people in this area with businesses, products and ideas worth discovering. Sometimes all they need is a place and an opportunity to put those ideas in front of people.
We hope Flagship can be that place.
Whether you're coming in to spend a Saturday afternoon shopping, setting up your first vendor booth, introducing an established business to new customers or renting the building to bring an event of your own to Erie, we want you to feel like Flagship is a space you can be part of.
We're excited to see what this becomes, because ultimately Flagship Market won't be built by just one person or one business. It will be shaped by the vendors, businesses, customers, events and people from around Erie who walk through the doors.
Welcome to Flagship Market — Erie's Indoor Marketplace.
Local. Community. Erie.