Dig into Spring with Clover Market

On Saturday, April 22 at Styer's, we'll celebrate the arrival of garden season with our annual Dig into Spring Festival. This year, more than 20 local vendors will join in the fun as part of the Clover Market, a seasonal, traveling marketplace that features a rotating lineup of over 100 vendors with antiques and collectibles, vintage jewelry and clothing, finely crafted handmade items, architectural salvage, and original art. Based in the Philadelphia metro area, Clover gathers the region's best artisans at pop-up markets throughout the spring and fall. Before the festival, we caught up with founder Janet Long to learn more about the market's roots and what we can expect at Dig into Spring.

terrain: What inspired you to start the Clover Market?

Janet: I was inspired by the open-air markets I've visited in Europe, and wanted to create something similar here that could feature antique dealers and artisans in a vibrant, downtown-based setting. I envisioned something friendly, relaxed, and community-supporting that would help to cultivate meaningful connections between vendors and their customers. 

We started small in 2010 with a focus on antiques and art, but soon expanded in size and scope as we added many types of handmade items and food trucks, which have become a very popular aspect of our event. We're now operating in four locations (Bryn Mawr PA, Chestnut Hill PA, Collingswood NJ, and Kennett Square PA), and each market has a rotating lineup of about 100 vendors. The mix of antique dealers alongside handmade vendors has come to uniquely define our event.

terrain: How do you discover new vendors to join the market?

Janet: Many of our new vendors come from referrals given by our current vendor group. They have a great sense of what we're looking for in terms of style, excellence in display, and overall aesthetic. I've also found some great vendors through social media, and my relationships with other show organizers. And of course, I'm always looking for new vendors at other shows whenever I have time to sneak out to one. We have nearly 70 new vendors this season, so there are many new faces!

terrain: What are you looking forward to in the 2017 season?

Janet: We're expanding to a new location in Kennett Square for a Father's Day Market on June 18. I'm looking forward to bringing Clover Market to a new customer base, and developing new relationships in the community there. We'll also have beer and wine in this location for the first time, which should make for a really fun day. As I mentioned before, we also have many new vendors participating during the markets this spring, and I expect the same for the fall. We have vendors coming from as far away as Maine and North Carolina!

terrain: What do you enjoy most about curating the market? 

Janet: It's always such a thrill to review the vendor applications each season. I'm like a kid in a candy shop, reading through each application and opening up their submitted photos. I love to learn about each vendor's process and see their work, and to see the creativity in their packaging and display. Once we're onsite at the events, it's so great to meet everyone in person and see their talents come to life!

terrain: What can we expect at Dig into Spring?

Janet: As a locally-based business, it was an honor to be asked to put together an artisan market for Dig into Spring! Customers will essentially see a miniature Clover Market (minus the antiques) at the festival. Many of the vendors will be working around spring themes -- think beautiful seasonal clothing, floral-inspired jewelry, bright and colorful ceramics, bath and body items in springtime scents, and lots more. Our participating vendors are so talented in creating beautiful little "shops for the day" in a 10' x 10' tent, so I think customers will be inspired and enjoy meeting all of them. We're very excited to be there! 

Join us for the Dig into Spring Festival on Saturday, April 22 in Glen Mills and Saturday, April 29 in Westport. 

Photography Credits
Top row: 1. Arden + James; 2. Zoet Bathlatier; 3. Reconstruct Wood
Bottom row: 1. Annie Howe Papercuts; 2. Carolyn Keys; 3. West Oak Design