Tomorrow evening, Workshop SF is bringing back a long-standing San Francisco tradition, this time to our very own neighborhood, as art and crafts-focused independent pop-up fair Indie Mart will be taking over The Independent from 5pm-10pm.
Longtime supporters of Indie Mart may remember its days in the Mission, or next to Thee Parkside in Potrero Hill. In an article paying homage to the event, Broke-Ass Stuart lamented its disappearance, stating:
"Like all great scenes, Indie Mart came and left just like a goddamn fireball. One day it jumped from being a small thing in Kelly Malone's backyard to a block party at Thee Parkside. It burned hot and heavy for a few years, and then suddenly it was done. But what it left in its wake was a slew of creators who now had the confidence and contacts to make a business out of what was previously just a hobby."
Good news for Stuart and the rest of the community: Indie Mart has been revived by Kelly Malone, founder of the event and of Workshop SF. This year, it's making its comeback in style at the Independent (and under shelter, which is good news for this week's potentially stormy winter).
"We started this thing in a yard in the Mission, then it grew to 12 Galaxies, then many years at Thee Parkside and numerous events with our friends and around the corner at The Independent," notes the event page on Workshop SF's website. As for why the event was revived, "we decided we really wanted to showcase neighborhood designers and makers, as well as some of our (Workshop SF's) students and teachers."
Over 40 vendors have signed up to exhibit their wares, including San Franpsycho (sporting a truck outside), and Home Sweet Flowers, who will be making wreaths. Workshop SF will have a booth with some DIY gift-making options, and knowing previous Indie Marts, there will be a wide variety of indie-made products to serve your holiday shopping needs. As the event will be serving beer, it's being kept to 21 and over.
So tomorrow night, heed the words of Kelly Malone: "We want to offer y'all amazing holiday shopping, a fun night and showcase some rad neighbors and makers. Come hang out."
