St. Pete Pier marketplace to feature a diverse mix of vendors and products

ST. PETERSBURG — Specialty hats, on-the-spot custom T-shirts, art and spicy Caribbean sauces are a sampling of what visitors to the city’s new Pier can expect when it opens in the spring.

A slate of 17 merchants for the Pier marketplace, a shaded area near the entrance of the 26-acre district, was announced this week.

Jennifer and Kevin Schultz, owners of The Merchant – Purveyor of Local Goods, in the city’s Central Arts District, made the list.

The store, at 633 Central Ave., which carries items from about 80 local artists and craftspeople, is partnering with Keep St. Pete Local to provide merchandise for the marketplace.

“For the Pier, we are trying to pick our bestselling tourist items,” Jennifer Schultz said. She added that Pier visitors can expect to find locally-made candles, towels, jewelry, books about the city and St. Petersburg-inspired T-shirts and laser-engraved magnets and other items made by her graphic designer husband, Kevin.

They are focusing on what "people are looking for and what is easy for them to take home in their suitcases,” Schultz said, adding that their marketplace space also expects to present a rotating showcase of St. Petersburg artists.

Also selected for the Pier, expected to open in the spring, is the 1Pier Stall, which will operate as a shared space offered by One Community Plan, an economic growth strategy for the city’s African-American residents. The space will serve as a welcome center and retail outlet for information and products that represent black life, culture and business in the city, said Gypsy Gallardo, executive director of the One Community planning process.

Vendors will include Carla Bristol of Gallerie 909, Catherine Weaver of Uniquely Original Art Studio, and Helena Joseph of Island Flavors & Tings.

Gallardo said the 1Pier Stall will feature products and services from up to six vendors. It will also provide information about large events and is working on ticket sale partnerships for tourist draws such as the Florida Classic and the Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival, she said.

The city received 66 applications for the marketplace. Spaces include seven stalls with canopies, adjustable shelving and moveable panels that can be closed and locked, and 10 spaces with market-style tents. The tent spaces will rent for $500 a month and the stalls for $750.

“Vendors are being offered leases of up to 12 months,” said Chris Ballestra, St. Petersburg’s managing director of development coordination. “We plan to have a rotating roster of vendors offering diverse items and services to attract Pier visitors.”

The inaugural list of vendors includes:

Lily Rose Jewelry: Locally handmade jewelry
Craft-Tee: Custom t-shirts while you wait
Planks: Locally made signs featuring area landmarks
The Merchant: A local collective of St. Pete inspired souvenirs and handcrafted items
One Community: A collective of various vendors
Hey Mon Sauces: Authentic Caribbean specialty sauces
Sunshine City Arts: Art collective of various handmade items
Flamed Copper: Heat-treated copper jewelry and accessories
Hats at the Pier: Specialty hats
Flaming Pearl: Tie-dyed custom printed apparel and accessories
Kashien Chanterell: Custom clothing, shoes, jewelry, handbags from Ghana
Land of Gaia: Wood art/ fashion/home décor from around the world
Goofy Faces: Caricatures
Ancient Herbal Care: Organic, plant-based skincare products
The Poppery: Gourmet specialty popcorn
McTavish’s Cookie Shack/Highland Shortbread: Locally made cookies, Scottish shortbread and scones
Cashew Brittle: Locally made homemade cashew brittle