MANAYUNK

Originally Published in Manayunk.com Magazine

By Anna McCarthey

When you come down to Main Street for Saturday brunch on June 13, September 12, and October 10, don’t forget to dip down Cotton Street onto Venice Island. You might be surprised at the magical hand crafted items you’ll find shaded by tents at The Philly Mart.

This gem of a market is just behind Main Street and is filled with a plethora of fine arts, pottery, jewelry, photography and textile goods. Artists like Vintage Meegan, who creates a new purpose for cool vintage finds, and The Tin Goat, who creates handmade bath and body products are among the over 30 vendors who participate in each of the markets.

Longtime friends Renee Pedro and Kiersten Watson are the creators of the market. The two met in college on the streets of Manayunk and have been friends for over 20 years and in Manayunk for just as long. 

Renee, a home textiles and housewares designer had been participating in artisan shows for years, but wanted to push herself and do something new. At all of the shows she had been to she had studied the behind the scenes aspects of how to make a market successful. After discussing with Kiersten how she wanted to start her own market, they realized they had similar dreams to bring a consistent and fulfilling open air market to Philadelphia and as they say, the rest is history.

The two started looking around Philadelphia to find where to host the market. At the same time construction was beginning on the new Venice Island Performing Arts & Recreation Center. After construction was complete, they knew the island was going to be their new home.

"What's really unique about The Philly Mart is that it's on an actual island. You're surrounded by green, yet you're still in the city,” Kiersten said. “Where else are you going to get that?"

From the start the dynamic duo has tried to make each show special for both the artists and customers. "We try to make it personal for the artists,” Kiersten said. “They can call us if they have problems and we quickly respond to questions and issues. And we're both on site all day at the market.”

From the personal touch of helping artists who are new to outdoor markets to assisting with load in and set up the day of the event, Renee and Kiersten handle it all. It’s this hands on, authentic and caring atmosphere that separates The Philly Mart from the rest.

"We remember when Manayunk was a great place for artisans and an area full of creative people,” Kiersten said. “We want to help bring that back to Manayunk. It's a cool place to walk around on the weekend and it’s not like any other place in the city. We couldn’t have a better home.”

This season there are over 30 vendors signed up for all of The Philly Mart dates, but Renee and Kiersten work on rolling acceptance throughout the season. The pair juries all vendors to ensure the quality is consistent. As they grow and expand, the market could potentially see 100 vendors.