Trade Days Time Remaining

Well, you came up to Canton First Monday Trade Days and it’s around noon, maybe a little after. The Texas sun is getting to you. You’ve walked around the Pavilions, meandered through the Famous Vendor fields, and now you’re looking to cool off a bit.

Head north across County Road 2106 and relax and shop in the cool air conditioned comfort of Canton Marketplace. Parking is free.

Canton Marketplace may not be the first the place that springs to mind when you think of Canton Trade Days, but Jessica McKinley, the property manager for a little over a year now, is doing her best to change that. Though it’s not on the main Trade Days grounds, that doesn’t mean that it’s not part of the event known as First Monday. Jessica is working hard to make it an upscale premier destination for the discerning Canton First Monday Trade Days visitor. One of the reasons for this is that not only is Jessica the property manager, but she is also a vendor at Canton Marketplace and has been for 3 years.

Canton First Monday Trade Days - Everything’s Bigger in Texas

At 93,000 square feet, the building itself fits in with the “bigger in Texas” theme of First Monday. We already mentioned that it was climate controlled, but it also has a mall-like atmosphere and many vendors have been there for 8 to 10 years. One of the reasons for this is that Canton Marketplace is a “lock and leave” establishment. Vendors don’t have to set-up and break down their booth every month. They are able to establish a permanent presence and are encouraged to decorate and remodel booths to reflect their unique business and style. 

Canton, TX Community

Besides her roles as property manager and vendor, Jessica acts as the marketing manager and assists new and established vendors with their marketing. “Price, product, personality, and presentation” is her mantra to new entrepreneurs that come in. That philosophy helps build a group of well branded and established vendors inside. As a vendor, you’re not only renting a booth, you’re joining a community.

Speaking of community, Jessica ensures that Canton Marketplace gives back as well. It is now a member of the Canton Chamber of Commerce and one of the sponsors of the Art Connection of East Texas. Additionally, a church service is held inside at 8am each Sunday of the First Monday weekends. So, if you come from out of town and are looking for a place to worship,  just head on over.

Canton Marketplace also sponsors parade floats. It took 3rd place in the 2019 Christmas parade and this year took 1st at the 4th of July parade with a unity and diversity theme. Last Halloween a Trick-or Treat booth was set up for children, and their parents, so they would have some place to enjoy in comfort and safety.

Customer Service

“What does all that have to do with me, the shopper and bargain hunter?” you ask. Well, it means that you can shop in comfort among 240 different businesses that offer everything from custom leather goods, to art, to wine and even year-round Christmas decorations. There are a lot of handmade goods and specialty one of a kind items. Since vendors don't have to deal with the struggle of setting up for each Trade Days, it means they can be 100% focused on their actual business, which is you, and not so much on the logistics of it.  Another benefit is the vendors are pretty well established and know each other.  So, if you are looking for something in particular, it’s a pretty good bet that you can stop and ask anyone where to find it and they can point you in the right direction.

Several established vendors mentioned that though Canton Marketplace does a brisk business, they have never felt like it was “swamped” with people during peak times and seasons. This makes for a much more relaxing shopping experience for everyone.

So, the next time you head up to Canton First Monday Trade Days, be sure to make it point to stop by Canton Marketplace.  It’s a sure bet that you’ll find something you like, even if it’s just the conversation with the people there. 

Canton Shopping Guide. Your resource to find the best at Canton First Monday Trade Days including great vendors at Canton Marketplace.