Permanent Artist Market Coming to Jersey City

Empowering Artists and Small Businesses

Welcome to Makers Square - a vibrant community hub supporting local vendors, artists, and small businesses in Jersey City. Our mission is to create a permanent space where creators can showcase their goods without the financial risks associated with traditional storefronts. However, to make this dream a lasting reality, we need your support.

The Vision

Makers Square isn’t just a space—it's a haven where vendors and artists can thrive. Located near the bustling Journal Square transportation hub, it offers high foot traffic, making it an ideal spot for those seeking affordable and accessible spaces to sell their products. We're aiming to transform this temporary space into a permanent fixture, allowing vendors a consistent retail presence. With a goal to operate 7 days a week- as a flea market for affordable goods, a secondhand and thrift store, and for special events a handmade and artist market. 

The Need

The current economic climate makes finding affordable spaces for small businesses a challenge. Many struggle to establish a visible retail presence without taking significant financial risks. Makers Square aims to change that narrative. By providing a location for vendors and artists to engage with their customers directly, or maintain a passive income through monthly inventory, we're revolutionizing the retail landscape.

Meet The Makers Square Team

Brittany Graziosi, the driving force behind Makers Square, is no stranger to the art and vendor community. With a decade of involvement, including founding the Jersey City Oddities Market, serving as the former vendor coordinator of Pacific Flea, and winning the 2017 Start Something Challenge through Rising Tide Capital, Brittany has dedicated herself to empowering local creators. Born and raised in Jersey City, her vision is to make Makers Square a permanent fixture in the community. When the Covid-19 Pandemic put a halt to earlier attempts at creating a community space- she believed this goal was lost for good. With support from George Martens, founder of Sip Studios, in a meeting with Robert Braha, a long-time business owner in Jersey City- Makers Square was born. Robert owns and manages the property on Kenndy Blvd, which formerly housed a Payless Shoe Source, as well as Lords Department store- a longtime fixture in Journal Square. Robert saw the potential in the space, and understood the need for local artists to have a central space to thrive- and has offered the opportunity to us rather than bringing in a corporate tenant, so that the small business community has a fighting chance. George Martens operates Sip Studios- A Creative Facility, Venue, and Networking Hub in Jersey City that Fosters Creativity and Innovation. Sip Studios has lent their support on this endeavor, with a goal to create a small business hub offering product photography, videography assistance, and other digital content and guidance for small businesses to accelerate their brand and reach. Together the duo shares one common goal - artist success. 

Our Goal

We're seeking your support to raise $10,000, which will be allocated towards crucial improvements, professional branding, permanent vendor displays, and the development of an online shopping experience to complement our in-person events. This fund will not only enhance the physical space but also support the community by boosting the local art and vendor economy. This will allow our vendor markets to remain free to the public for maximum exposure- and over time will help keep fees for vendors affordable enough to maintain participation. We aim to also hire a full time staff so that the space can operate seven days a week.

Needed: 

Professional Removal of the Payless Sign and installation of Makers Square sign ($2000) 

Repairs to the ceiling / replacement of tiles ($1000)

Fresh paint and lighting fixture repairs ($2500)

Replacement of the worn out and warped flooring ($4000) 

Other repairs ($500) 

How You Can Help

Your contribution will enable us to build working capital, hire local staff, and aim to operate seven days a week by 2024. With your support, we can secure the future of Makers Square, ensuring a sustainable and nurturing environment for local vendors and artists.

Join Us

Your support is crucial in making Makers Square a permanent home for small businesses and creators. By contributing, you're not only fostering a space for local entrepreneurship but also enriching the community as a whole. We deeply appreciate any support you can offer.

Thank you for considering supporting Makers Square. Let's come together to sustain a space where creativity thrives and local businesses flourish and be sure to visit our first event on November 17th!