WHEN THE MARKET IS FULL
When the Sunset Market reaches capacity - all booths reserved - the Market staff will use a waiting list to allocate space to new and returning vendors as existing vendors leave the Market. In addition to the waiting list, a standby procedure is used to assign space to wait-listed vendors on a temporary, week-by-week basis to fill vacant booths that result from "emergency" vacancies that occur from time to time.
Why are there vacancies if the Market is full?
All spaces in the Sunset Market are reserved in advance and prepaid. Three types of vacancies can occur, allowing opportunities for new vendors who are on the waiting list.
1. Permanent/Long-Term Booths. When a regular vendor decides to leave the Market for an extended period of time, they forfeit their booth space and a new permanent space becomes available. These spaces can become long-term if the new vendor chooses to renew their reservation monthly. These spaces are made available to pre-approved wait listed vendors.
2. Temporary/Planned Absences. Vendors who contract for their booth space on a monthly basis become regular long-term vendors. These vendors are permitted occasional "planned absences" by notifying the Market staff in advance. These temporary booth vacancies are for one Market night only and are available to wait listed vendors on the Wednesday call-in program.
3. Emergency Vacancies. Regular long-term vendors periodically encounter circumstances that force them to miss a Market night. The vacancies are unplanned and occur within 24 hours of the Market date. Booth space that becomes available due to an emergency is offered on a last minute basis to vendors who choose to participate in the "Standby" program.
How can I be added to the waiting list?
New vendors must complete the standard application and approval process (explained HERE). Once approved by the Sunset Market Committee, that vendor may opt to leave their deposit on file and be added to the waiting list.
Returning vendors who have previously participated at the Market should notify the Sunset Market staff of their desire to return to the Market. After updating the application that is on file and posting a booth deposit, returning vendors will be added to the waiting list.
Is the waiting list maintained on a first come, first served basis?
The goal of the Sunset Market is to provide an event for the community that appeals to both young an old, and provides a consumer mix that reaches all aspects of the marketplace. Achieving a diverse and unique Market ultimately benefits both the vendor community and the community at large. To reach this goal, the Sunset Market Committee has created guidelines to allocate space in the Market.
Certified Market/Agriculture: 10 spaces
Perishable/Unpackaged Foods (food prepared on site): 36 spaces
Non-Perishable/Prepackaged Foods: 22 spaces
Retail/Crafts/Artisan (cash and carry merchandise sales): 53 spaces
Jewelry (cash and carry merchandise with any jewelry items): 16 spaces
Apparel (cash and carry merchandise with any apparel items): 16 spaces
Commercial (lead generation or literature distribution): 4 spaces
Non-profit (community groups and organizations): 2 spaces
The waiting list is maintained by category in the order that the applications are approved by the Sunset Market Committee. Vendors will be offered permanent booth space in the order that they appear on the wait list for their appropriate category. Special consideration is granted to Oceanside residents and businesses. Contact the Market staff for details.
What are the opportunities to participate at the Market on a temporary basis?
On any week a limited number of vendors may be required to forfeit their booth reservations as a result of sickness, transportation problems or circumstances beyond their control. Regular vendors are required to notify the Market staff of their intention to forfeit their reservation no later than Tuesday of that week. As these approved cancellations occur, the Sunset Market management determines the number of available temporary booths for that week.
How do I secure a temporary booth?
Each Wednesday, wait-listed vendors may call the Sunset Market Wait List Hot Line at (760) 805-6899. Calls for the purpose of assigning temporary booth space will be accepted only on Wednesday mornings between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and will only concern the current week's booth opportunities. Temporary booth space will be assigned on a first call, first serve basis. Please be advised that each booth booking is for a single Market night.
No voice mail, email, fax or phone messages will be accepted for the purpose of temporary booth space assignment. You must speak directly with the Sunset Market staff person who is handling the assignment of temporary booth spaces that morning. Please call the Hot Line number ONLY for this purpose. If you receive a message, please dial again. If you haven't received a verbal confirmation of a temporary booth assignment by 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday morning, please try again the following week.
Remember, temporary booth opportunities are very limited.
Is temporary booth space available for all categories of vendors?
No. As an example, an available booth that occurs in the Hot Food or Agricultural section will not be filled with a vendor in the Retail category. The majority of the Sunset Market's booths qualify for Retail/Craft/Artisan, Jewelry, Commercial, Non-Profit and Packaged /Non-Perishable Food activities. This condition provides vendors who are approved under these categories a reasonable chance to obtain a temporary booth space.
Will I be able to choose my temporary booth location?
No. Temporary booths are assigned based on the booth location of the absent vendor.
If I successfully secure a temporary booth space, will I be able to rent that booth for the following week's Market?
No. Temporary booth assignments are for one Market night only. To secure a booth for the next week's Market you will need to call the Sunset Market Wait List Hot Line again for that week's booth opportunities.
What is the standby list?
In rare and unusual circumstances, vendors may experience conditions which prevent them from attending the Market (mechanical problems with a vehicle, sudden illness, injury, etc.) and necessitate very late notice to the Market staff. These cancellations are typically received on Thursday mornings.
The Market management recognizes that only a very limited number of vendors can operate on an extreme last minute or standby basis. All approved vendors will be given the opportunity to identify themselves as a standby vendor.
In the event that a last minute cancellation occurs, vendors on the standby list will be called by Market staff in an attempt to fill the vacant booth. Please be aware that standby opportunities must be filled in a timely manner and if a vendor should fail to answer their phone when called, Market staff will contact the next succeeding vendor on the standby list. The standby list will be rotated in order to give all standby vendors an equal opportunity to participate in the Market.
Sunset Market staff will cease all efforts to fill vacant booth space at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday.
How do I add my name to the standby list?
When your application to the Market is approved, you will be given the opportunity to identify yourself as a standby vendor.
What if I have more questions?
Please don't hesitate to contact the Sunset Market staff at (760) 754-4512 if you have any additional questions.