Trade Days Time Remaining

Almost without exception, the vendors at Canton First Monday Trade Days are small businesses. Some are artists.  Others are farmers.  Still others are craftspeople.  And quite a few defy any categorization.  But, they all realize that you have choices when it comes to where you shop and how you spend your money.  

With that in mind, here are some of the benefits to you, the shopper, when you explore the vast landscape that is Canton First Monday Trade Days and choose to spend your money there.

Shopping small businesses creates a sense of community

Small businesses are keen to build strong relationships because they typically live where they work. Though Canton First Monday Trade Days hosts vendors from all over the state of Texas and other places, Trade Days originally started in Canton as a gathering of the people in the town and county.  That tradition of community has carried through the decades and can still be seen and felt there.

You get to know the people behind the product/service

Small business people, especially vendors at First Monday Trade Days, are usually uniquely passionate about what they are doing, selling, and/or creating.  They’ll be more than happy to tell you how they got they started, what they do, and why.  Through those stories, you get to know the person and not just the thing you are buying.

You make priceless memories when visiting and shopping small businesses

What are great memories but those moments we spend with people. As you talk with and get to know the vendors and other shoppers at Canton First Monday, you will most certainly take away some lasting impressions of your interactions.  You might even come away with some new friends and that’s something that you can’t buy.  Because, let’s face it, hearing that bee keeper who you just bought some honey from talk about his hives as if they members of his family will definitely have you thinking differently about honey bees.  

You receive more personalized service

Shop with small businesses and vendors and you will probably find that the service you receive has a personal touch.  The interaction is genuine and they are serious about actually making sure you walk away with a positive impression . . . even if you didn’t buy anything from them.  More often than not, if they don’t have what you are searching for they will almost certainly tell you the next best place to go looking.

Get your jewelry cleaned.

Product variety and unique, one of a kind items

A lot of the vendors at Canton First Monday Trade Days are artists and craftspeople.  They sell the goods that they farm, paint, build, crochet, and/or create. For you that means you are shopping in an environment where there are endless possibilities for finding one of a kind pieces from custom pens to handmade furniture to home decor to fine China that are truly unique.

One of the many shops at Canton First Monday Trade Days where you can find unique items.

It feels good to help neighbors and friends succeed

Shopping small just feels good.  If you have a burger at that large national chain, you walk away with a full stomach, but no sense that you actually contributed to anything other than their cash register.  But, when you eat at the local burger joint and you know the owner, you leave with a satisfied feeling both culinarily and emotionally.  Get to know the people that own small businesses and you know that your purchases are helping friends.  

The Canton Shopping Guide helps you shop small with vendor listings and reviews.  Sign up for a free Shopper account to join the community and support your favorite small businesses.