Two new city markets strive to boost their communities

Two urban outdoor marketplaces are scheduled to open July 17 in Dallas and Seattle. And both flea markets are opening with the same purpose: to revitalize and support the community.

The logo for the Seattle Square outdoor market.

The Seattle Square outdoor market, according to its Web site, “is a pilot community activation initiative in South Downtown’s Occidental Square. Kicking off on July 17th, this outdoor market will bring Seattlites together to activate the region’s oldest neighborhood while supporting local entrepreneurs as well as the business community.”

Dallas' Deep Ellum Outdoor Market.

And in Dallas, the “Deep Ellum Outdoor Market’s main objective is to bring people to the streets of our neighborhood and give exposure to our local artists and businesses.”

Both flea markets are launching on July 17. Both will feature DJs or live music. Both require vendor pre-registration (with the implicit or declared purpose of selectivity in vendors attending). Both have gotten some attention from the media.

But there are differences, too, of course. The Deep Ellum market will be held monthly through December (but not in November). The Seattle Square market will be held weekly through Sept. 25. The biggest difference may be in pricing. Deep Ellum has 38 booths, all 8 feet by 8 feet, and costing $30 per space; tables, chairs, and electricity cost extra. That follows a traditional flat-rate formula. The Seattle Square’s unusual price structure requires a $5 nonrefundable application fee and then takes 15 percent of each vendor’s total sales. If you commit to attending six of the 11 market dates, the fee drops to 10 percent of sales. Booths range from 10 feet by 5 feet to 10 by 10.

The layout of the Deep Ellum market.