Saturday, April 6, was not the second Saturday of the month despite the Urbana Chamber of Commerce beginning its 2024 Second Saturday series of street fairs.
Although I learned this is the second year for this series of events, it was my first time participating. I've signed up for four more such dates in this year's series of street fairs for basically two reasons: low cost registration and proximity.
The day dawned chilly and sunny. We managed to avoid rain, although the clouds moved in by noon and a cold breeze picked up. Pedestrian traffic was light and sales were nonexistant until after noon. The lemonade stand beside us did a brisk business.
I spoke with other vendors, one selling cupcakes and cookies and another selling fishing tackle. They mentioned low traffic, poor location, and few sales. Three of the food trucks near us left early, one by 1 p.m. and the other two before 3 p.m. The event officially ended at 6 p.m., but by 5:15, the sidewalks were deserted. So, we left. We couldn't sell anything to people who weren't there, and we were cold, despite having dressed for the weather in insulating layers.
The upshot? I recouped my expenses and then some, actually making a small profit. The chilly, overcast weather deterred much of the expected pedestrian traffic. My booth's location wasn't great, but it wasn't as poor as it could have been. Being located a block south or even in the town square would have been much better.
Our lesson learned is basically a lesson reinforced: My ability to predict anything does not work.
Here's to hoping that May's Second Saturday event will be better ... or at least warmer.
Director, Jersey Mike's Canada for Redberry Restaurants
8moCongratulations