Nick and Lindsay Dewald are Cincinnati natives who've lived in the urban centers of Chicago, L.A., and New York City. They loved living in bigger cities, but always had a place in their hearts for the Queen City.
Last summer they returned to Cincinnati when Lindsay left a teaching job in New York. After being away for several years, they found a more vibrant downtown than the one they'd left behind.
"We were pleasantly surprised to see what was going on. There were a lot of new small businesses and restaurants," said, Nick, a
DAAP architecture grad who lives with his wife in Prospect Hill.
Their surprise has turned into action, and the couple is working to create a place where talented entrepreneurs can come together once a month to sell and create in a fun, outdoor environment. They're calling the endeavor
The City Flea, inspired by a giant weekly market in New York called the
Brooklyn Flea that started in 2008.
"Coming from the Midwest experience, flea markets were far different from what Brooklyn flea is about," Nick said.
The Brooklyn Flea has more than a hundred vendors who sell vintage and handmade jewelry, vintage T's, ethnic fabrics and cuisine, bicycles, fine chocolates, ceramics, specialty coffee drinks and more. There are also local musical acts on hand to set the mood for the day.
Cincinnati is ready for its own version, Nick believes.
"There is a whole community that is slowly building downtown and in Over-the-Rhine. We are trying to create a hub for those residents, entrepreneurs and one and two-person organizations who are making jewelry or making waffles," he said.
They also see it as a way to draw in people who don't spend a lot of time in the city on the weekends.
Nick and Lindsay are working to secure an outdoor spot for The City Flea, but are hoping it will be somewhere along Central Parkway, near downtown and Over-The-Rhine. There are four markets scheduled, June 4, July 9, Aug. 6 and Sept. 3. They have contacted some possible vendors and are seeking out sponsors. They envision the market hosting food trucks and vendors, vintage goods, clothing, antiques, and arts and crafts.
If The City Flea goes well, the couple will soon hunt for an indoor spot for a winter market.
If you're interested in being a sponsor or a vendor you can contact Nick or Lindsay through
The City Flea website. You can also connect with them on
Facebook.
Writer: Feoshia Henderson
Sources: Nick and Lindsay Dewald, founders The City Flea
You can follow Feoshia on twitter
@feoshiawrites
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