See Americana at the Midwest Markets
Regional markets promise hidden treasures for pioneering buyers to hunt
Edited by Matthew Kalash -- Gifts & Decorative Accessories, 1/1/2001
Columbus
Columbus marketplace
Formerly known as the Columbus Gift Mart, the Columbus MarketPlace for Gift, Garden, and Home introduces not only a new name, but a new focus to the Midwestern market scene with its winter show, February 18-20. According to a statement from MarketPlace executive director Karen Knies, as home and garden accessories begin to take up a larger share of the industry, buyers will find that the Columbus Marketplace is the place to buy the latest and best selection of merchandise from these categories. The Marketplace offers 115 permanent showrooms featuring more than 3,000 gift, garden, and home accessories and related retail lines.
SHOW INFO
Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Address: 1999 Westbelt Dr., Columbus, OH 43228
Call: (614) 876-2719
www.thecolumbusmarketplace.com
Offinger's Handcrafted marketplace
With the theme of "Simplicity Straight from the Heart of the Country," Offinger's Handcrafted Marketplace will be presented January 20-21, at the Veterans Memorial Building, and March 17-18, at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus, OH. The show will feature handmade limited-edition crafts, gifts, furniture, and home accents, as well as plenty of ethnic, traditional, country, and contemporary crafts presented for immediate delivery or order writing.
SHOW INFO
Hours: January 20, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; January 21, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Address: 300 W. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43215
Call: (740) 452-4541
www.offinger.com
The Heritage Market Cash & Carry Wholesale Market
The Heritage Market Cash & Carry Wholesale Market, a trade show of traditional American handicrafts, specializing in new and innovative products for home and garden, comes to Columbus, OH, January 19-21. Original handcrafted products including decorative garden accessories, antiques, hand-painted furniture, floral wreaths, and jewelry will be featured by some 100 exhibitors. Attendees can buy on site or place orders for later delivery.
SHOW INFO
Hours: January 19, 5-9 p.m.; January 20, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; January 21, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Address: The University Plaza Hotel, 3100 Olentangy River Rd., Columbus, OH 43202
Call: (717) 249-9404
www.heritagemarkets.com
Northville, MI
Michigan Gift Mart
The Michigan Gift Mart, located just outside of Detroit, has finalized plans for its winter 2001 gift shows. Show dates are January 7-9, February 4-7, and March 4-7. The gift mart, which includes nearly 80 showrooms within a 100,000-square-foot facility, offers free parking to all attendees, and features hotels specials, promotions, and events during shows.
SHOW INFO
Hours: Doors open for all shows from 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Address: 133 W. Main St., Northville, MI 48167
Call: (800) 886-6247
Madison
Market Square Midwest
Market Square Midwest is slated for January 7-9, at the Alliant Energy Center (formerly the Dane County Expo Center) in Madison, WI. The market will feature more than 175 businesses offering traditional handmade crafts, folk art, one-of-a-kind accessories, and furniture. The show will be held concurrently with the Mid-America Gift Market, which features everything from greeting cards and stationery to decorative accessories, collectibles, seasonal items, and souvenirs. The Buyers Cash and Carry Wholesale Mart will be held January 8, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and January 9, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Market Square Midwest and the Mid-America Gift Market are produced by Market Square Traditional Wholesale Shows in Mechanicsburg, PA.
SHOW INFO
Hours: January 7-8, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; January 9, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Address: 1919 Expo Way, Madison, WI 53713
Call: (717) 796-2377
www.marketsquareshows.com
Indianapolis
Indy Gift Mart
On January 7-9, the Indy Gift Mart, in Lebanon, IN, invites buyers to browse the more than 900 manufacturers represented at the mart. The Indy Mart consists of 40 permanent showrooms covering all segments of the gift industry. Showrooms are open during markets, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., or by appointment. Parking and on-site food service are available at the Indy Mart.
SHOW INFO
Hours: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Address: 1220 Indianapolis Ave., Lebanon, IN 46052
Call: (765) 482-4699
Kansas City
Kansas City Gift Mart
The Kansas City Gift Mart winter market will be held January 19-23. Approximately 250 temporary exhibitors will join the 90 permanent showrooms of the mart to offer buyers a wide selection of merchandise.
SHOW INFO
Hours: Permanent showrooms: January 19-22, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; January 23, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Temporaries: January 20-22, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; January 23, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Address: 6880 W. 115th St., Overland Park, KS 66211
Call: (913) 491-6688 or (800) 950-MART
Minneapolis
Minneapolis Gift Mart
One level, easy access shopping, as well as a full program of educational seminars and convenient buyer amenities make the Minneapolis Gift Mart's winter show, January 20-24, 2001, an important stop for retailers looking for the best the Midwest has to offer. The Gift Mart offers 164 showrooms featuring over 5,000 lines of gifts and decorative accessories. All Minneapolis Gift Mart promotions and events are free to attendees, as well as parking, coat check, morning coffee, and afternoon snacks. Shuttles will be available between the Gift Mart and selected nearby hotels. Many hotels offer discounts for Gift Mart attendees. On Wednesday, January 24, a special Buyers' Breakfast will be served in the Gift Mart's Four Seasons Café.
SEMINARS
Continental breakfast at the Four Seasons Café will be available with all seminars.
Saturday, January 20
- 8:30-9:30 a.m. "Shopping the Smart Way." Speaker: Gene Dokken.
Sunday, January 21
- 8:30-9:30 a.m. "Floral Design Seminar." With designers from Sullivans, Ardinger/Willis Co., and Maravic.
Monday, January 22
- 8:30-9:30 a.m. "Nichecrafting." Speaker: Richard Miltier.
Tuesday, January 23
- 8:30-9:30 a.m. "In Store Displays." Speaker: Gene Dokken.
SHOW INFO
Hours: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Addresses: 10501 Bren Rd. W., Minnetonka, MN 55343
Call: (612) 932-7200; (800) 626-1298
www.mplsgiftmart.com
