Now entering its fourth season, the 6th Street Market is a weekly, juried market that combines “Local Purveyors, Produce & Artisans” as the tagline eludes to, and here are five facts you may not have known about this fantastic and free way to spend a Sunday in the Phoenix area:
#1. IT GROWS AND GROWS – originally launched in the fall of 2016, the market started as a simple weekly event with twenty local artists and a coffee cart. Today the market runs every Sunday (except for two Sundays when the Tempe Festival of the Arts takes over downtown), with 50+ weekly vendors offering local art, food, produce, music and more. And yes, there’s still delicious coffee!
#2. LOCALS ONLY – the market’s mission is to connect local small and micro-businesses with the community at large, so as part of their pledge they only allow local businesses to set up at the market. Everything is local -- there are no re-sellers, national brands or chains to be found, so you’ll enjoy supporting the local community and interacting with the people who actually make, bake, grow and sell their goods at the market like Amadio Ranch (farm-fresh produce and mouthwatering seasonal pies), Adam Rabbit (handmade jewelry inspired by love, magic, and adventure since 2012), Mediterra Bakehouse (artisan breads and pastries), and Pura Vida Grinds (passionate caffeine addicts serving up Costa Rican-style lattes, espresso, hot chocolate, iced tea, flavored lemonades and infused Red Bull drinks).
#3. TELL IT TO THE JURY – You’ll notice a highly curated mix of vendors and that’s because an anonymous group of local professionals vets each and every application; ensuring a balanced offering across multiple categories to set the perfect vibe. You’ll find unique items not found in big box retailers and one-of-a-kind gifts from locals like an artist who makes lamps from upcycled materials like vintage cameras, self-described "neo-cubisurrealist" artist Favio Ulises Ramos who is a wonder to watch in action, and Honeybee Cookie Company with a mission to support local Arizona honey farmers.
#4. MOTIVATED BY MUSIC – Nothing sets the right atmosphere like music and all of the performers are locals too. From Americana to folk to bluegrass and rock, you’ll ears will let you know you’re in the right place. Discover toe-tappin’ talent from singer-songwriters like Janelle Loes and Serena Nicole, to rock, pop & fiddle performers like TRIAD and more.
#5. FOOD GLORIOUS FOOD – Each week the market offers a selection of local food and produce vendors, and there are special food pop-ups punctuating the line-up this season. The market has partnered with Nom Nom Events to bring more to the proverbial table this year. Keep your eyes peeled for fun foodie Sundays like a Holiday Foods Pop-Up on 12/22, a Pastry Thrown Down on 1/19/20, an Asian Street Food Pop-Up on 2/16 and a BOBA Sip & Shop for the season closer on Sunday April 5th, 2020.
And here’s the biggest reason why we love the 6th Street Market – it’s about community. According to Julie Kent, market manager and Director of Placemaking for Downtown Tempe, which organizes the market, “Anyone can go to Target or Fry’s or Amazon but the 6th Street Market is an often-missed chance to engage with the artist who made these earrings or baked that mouthwatering pie filled with local peaches, and that’s not something e-commerce can replicate”. We couldn’t agree more, so Jeff Bezos, eat your heart out.
Find out about each week’s special programming, dog-friendly events and more on the Event Schedule page or by following 6th Street Market on Facebook or Instagram.