BECOME A VENDOR AT CREATE CHICAGO

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YOUR  products, YOUR  space & a community built to help you grow.

CREATE Chicago offers artists, makers, creators, entrepreneurs and small businesses an affordable way to establish a physical retail presence without the expense and commitment of opening their own storefront.

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We’re building something different: a curated collection of local businesses and creatives under one roof, with CREATE helping bring customers through the doors, process sales and promote the people behind the products.

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ONE-TIME VENDOR ACTIVATION FEE

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Once accepted, vendors pay a one-time activation fee of $50 and $5 per product 
 

Available spaces may include:

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• Shelf and display spaces

• Wall displays

• Table spaces

• Larger dedicated booth and retail areas

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Some vendor spaces include tables or other display fixtures.
 

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There is NO  fee to apply. Your activation fee is only due after you have been accepted and offered a space.

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SCHOLARSHIPS & BARTER OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE

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We don't want the cost of getting started to prevent a talented creator or promising small business from participating.

Scholarships, reduced activation fees and barter opportunities are available for qualifying artists, makers, entrepreneurs and small businesses.

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Barter opportunities may include professional services, products, volunteer support, programming, improvements to the CREATE space or other contributions that benefit the CREATE community.

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If cost is a concern, apply anyway and tell us. We want to find ways to make participation possible for the right vendors.

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WE SUCCEED WHEN YOU SUCCEED

Monthly Display Options vary within the gallery are as follows:

Wall/Shelving Only- 3 ft/$55  4 ft/$70  5 ft/$85
Countertop Only- 3 ft/$65  4 ft/80  5 ft/$95
Wall & Countertop - 3ft/$95  4 ft/$120  5 ft/$145

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Vendor-Maintained Space — 75% Vendor / 25% CREATE

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You maintain, stock and merchandise your assigned display while CREATE operates the retail environment and processes customer purchases.

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CREATE-Maintained Space — 65% Vendor / 35% CREATE

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For vendors who want a more hands-off option, CREATE can maintain and merchandise the display on the vendor's behalf.

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Additional incentives offered will be:

-Store Discounts
-Weekly Social Events
-Snacks/Beverages Onsite
-Connection with all other Vendors

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CREATE Chicago is intentionally curated.

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We limit the number of vendors selling similar types of products so our creators aren't competing against a room full of businesses offering essentially the same thing.

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For example, our anticipated vendor mix may include but is NOT limited to :

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• Candles — 2 vendors

• Jewelry & Accessories — 4 vendors

• Soap, Bath & Body — 2 vendors

• Apparel — 4 vendors

• Chicago-Branded Merchandise — Limited spaces

• Pet Products & Merchandise — Limited spaces

• Food & Beverage — Limited spaces

• Art, Prints & Photography — Limited spaces

• Home Décor & Gifts — Limited spaces

• Handmade & Artisan Goods — Limited spaces

• Specialty & Novelty Products — Limited spaces

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Have something completely different? We want to hear about it.
 

Our goal isn't to fill every available space with as many vendors as possible. It's to create a diverse and interesting retail experience where each participating business has a meaningful opportunity to be discovered and make sales.

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Once a category is filled, additional applicants in that category may be placed on a waiting list.

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MORE THAN A PLACE TO SELL

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CREATE is designed to give participating vendors opportunities beyond their everyday retail display.

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Depending on the business and programming schedule, vendors may have opportunities to participate in:

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• Special shopping events

• Holiday markets

• Pop-ups

• Workshops and classes

• Product demonstrations

• Artist and maker events

• Community programming

• Social media and promotional features

• Collaborative events with other CREATE vendors
   

Founding Vendors may also receive priority consideration for future spaces and programming opportunities.

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DECIDED YOU'RE READY TO CREATE WITH US?

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We're looking for artists, makers, designers, creators, food entrepreneurs and small businesses that bring something interesting to the CREATE community.

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Because we intentionally limit competing vendors within individual categories, we encourage interested businesses to apply early.

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APPLY  BELOW TODAY TO BECOME A CREATE CHICAGO VENDOR

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5158 N. Ashland Ave. • Chicago, IL 60640

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PROGRAM TERMS

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Vendor spaces, category limits and participation are subject to availability and approval. Category limits are intended to reduce direct competition but do not constitute a guarantee of product or category exclusivity.

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CREATE Chicago reserves the right to modify the vendor program at any time, including activation fees, commission structures, category limits, space assignments, program benefits, policies and participation terms. Applicable changes will be communicated to participating vendors.