Maisie’s Green Brae will host a free weekly market for Tega Cay small businesses, artisans, farmers, clubs and nonprofits this fall, setting up vendors at its Gold Hill Road property every Sunday afternoon for six weeks.
Maisie’s Sunday Market runs Sundays from Sept. 20 through Oct. 25, from 1 to 5 p.m., at the restaurant, bar and event venue at 2150 Gold Hill Road. There is no charge to exhibit and no charge to attend.
Christine G.D. Schaefer, who founded Maisie’s Green Brae said the market is aimed at residents who run businesses and organizations in Tega Cay but rarely get in front of a large local audience.
“We didn’t build this to sell more plates,” Schaefer said. “We built it because Tega Cay has this deep bench of people running real businesses or other organizations out of their homes and garages. Most of them don’t have a place to stand in front of the whole town at once. Now they do.”
Who Can Take Part
The market is open to entrepreneurs who live in Tega Cay, along with small businesses and nonprofits that operate in the city. Artisans and service providers are welcome, as are other businesses that do not compete directly with the restaurant and bar. That rules out prepared food and drinks sold for eating on the spot, though packaged goods customers take home are allowed.
Every vendor must provide proof of any required business license and health permit before being approved.
“This isn’t a flea market,” Schaefer said. “It’s Tega Cay’s own businesses, vetted and organized, in one place on a Sunday.”
Organizers expect between 12 and 20 exhibitors each Sunday, depending on turnout. The lineup will be arranged week to week so that no single Sunday is crowded with the same kind of business.
Schaefer said waiving fees for both vendors and visitors was a deliberate choice.
“We’re not charging vendors a booth fee, and we’re not charging anyone at the gate,” she said. “If we’re asking people to give up a Sunday afternoon to be here, the least we can do is not charge them for it.”
Why Sundays
Schaefer said the timing was chosen because by Sunday afternoon “church is done, the week hasn’t started, and there’s nowhere they have to be.”
The venue’s tagline, “Where the Good Life Gathers,” is meant to describe what happens there rather than serve as a slogan, according to the release. The business wants to be a gathering place and not simply a restaurant, the release said.
“Tega Cay doesn’t have a town square,” Schaefer said. “For six Sundays this fall, we’re going to try being one.”
How To Apply
Businesses can apply by emailing [email protected] with their business information and the Sundays they are available. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and confirmed vendors will be notified of their assigned date or dates once each week’s lineup is set.
If more businesses apply than the fall schedule can hold, Maisie’s Green Brae plans to extend the season as weather permits or resume the market in the spring, according to the release. The business is already planning a spring local market, depending on how the fall season goes.
More information is available at maisiesgreenbrae.com or by calling 803.81.HOUND (803.814.6863).
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Thomas Hyslip lives in Tega Cay with his wife and daughter. After 27 years in the U.S. Army and Federal Law Enforcement, he retired to pursue his passion for teaching. Tom is now an Assistant Professor of Instruction at the University of South Florida. In 2 short years he has won 10 awards from the South Carolina Press Association, including first place in column writing, education beat reporting and best podcast.
