Overview

Our second venture into vending outside, this time at an adoption pop-up market. We participated in Cats & Crystals at Nine Keys Salon & Metaphysical in Minneapolis, MN. This event was the first we've participated in where the focus was mostly on adopting out animals. I reflect on pricing strategy and location since it was a short event.

Applications, Payments & Planning

I found the event on Twin Cities Geeks FB group and sent an email like they requested with my setup on March 21, 2025. I was accepted and added to the Cats & Crystals instagram group chat March 22nd. The event is free, so the only thing we had to do on our end was make sure we could handle being indoors or outdoors, depending on space.

The instagram chat is where the owner of Nine Keys Salon & Metaphysical would give us information and make sure we knew what was happening. The main purpose of the event was to drive traffic to adopt kitties. The owner of the salon planned to donate 10% of their sales. 

Nothing was going to be provided, so we needed to bring our own tables, chairs, etc. Pretty typical for the type of event that it is though, so more of a note than anything.

Before the Event & Setup

Setup was around 10am and the event was going to start at 11am. Since I had just returned from Momocon, I only deposited the larger bills so I would still have some change available in case people paid in cash. I ordered a tent, but it was delayed until June 2nd, making it not useful for this event. At least I would have it for future events.

The event was very small, as expected. We were told spaces were first come, first serve. We showed up a little later than expected, and were the last ones to get a spot. It worked out just fine though. We were told we could set up next to the sidewalk and they were nice enough to set out a tent they said we could move if we needed any shade. I believe there were three vendors inside and four of us outside.




Once we were set up, I took a photo of the location for this blog. Tell me this isn't a cute little area? You can't. It's very nice. I actually really liked that we were overlooking their little garden area. Reminded me that I really like ferns and should probably consider planting some in my backyard. I also tried to make a Tiktok walking people from the corner of the road to my booth. I am just not a social media expert and it shows. I would get one of those gold stars for trying at least.



The view from my booth. Mostly took it because I wanted to remember the little coffee shop on the corner (that turned out to be a bakery), but I have it in my brain that it is a coffee shop. There was also a bus stop at this corner, making it very easy access for people who may not have their own modes of transportation to get here.

The Event Itself

It was a short 4 hour event, so I didn't have many expectations. I knew with it being a Sunday with an air quality warning to stay inside, there was a low chance a lot of people would be out and about. The coffee shop at the end of the street, Sift, was apparently a really popular location for most locals. I was told by someone who was carrying a bunch of goodies from that place that they usually sell out quickly and close by 2pm. Obviously once the transaction was finished, I rushed over to get some coffee and snacks before they were sold out. Definitely a busy place and everything was delicious!



I stuck with my normal craft fair and car show pricing strategy, which is a lot lower than my prices online or at conventions. I find that people find my art too expensive outside of the internet or events where they expect that I am the artist. I am the artist, but I guess my stuff looks too professionally made to qualify to them so that's why I haven't fully committed to making signs with pricing. I've considered making things I can swap out, but we are currently working on barcoding things with my retail pricing. It'll be confusing to anyone who flips the products over, but at least they can see how much they are saving? We'll see how that pans out for us in the long run, but it's easier for us to scan something with our new Square Handheld to ring people up more quickly.

We brought both the Square Handheld we got May 31st to the event and our Square Terminal so we could both have our own devices. The traffic didn't really require it, but I can tell you right now my preference is already for the handheld. Not enough people ask for receipts to begin with, so do we really even need a device that can print one? Not sure. I guess checking to make sure laws don't require us to give one may matter too. Things I should think about and don't.

The vendors there with me were Bully Love MN, Ezra Snail Art, Gromlin Cat Studios, Stewart Designz & Mossnmice Art and the lovely organizer Nine Keys Salon + Metaphysical. I actually forgot to buy one of the stone corgis from Nine Keys before the event ended. They have them in black and orange stone, no tails, but still very cute! Would have been perfect to bring with me to cons to hold my larger stickers up from behind while staying on brand.

The highlight of the event was of course the cats. I would like to note that by the end of the event 4 out of 6 cats found homes. Thankfully all of the adult kitties found homes leaving only two of the kittens without. I am so happy the adult kitties were all adopted at least. They tend to be the hardest to find homes for compared to kittens and the fact they all did is fantastic. The rescue that was finding homes for the cats was Kindred Spirits Rescue - located out of Little Falls, MN. I also really loved how lovely Nine Keys was inside. It was so warm and welcoming, making it desirable to shop in.



Let me show you the kitties! I didn't get pics of all of them and one was adopted before I ever stepped foot into the building. 

Overall, it was a pretty nice relaxing event. It wasn't long so there wasn't anything really crazy that happened. I got to chat with several of the other artists that were there selling their wares. I'll never stop being impressed by how talented and creative people are. Never stop creating. I also snagged some bandanas from Bully Love MN for my boys. They are now ready for the summer!



I guess my only observation was that with how parking was, got to watch a bus trying to pick someone up in a wheelchair. They couldn't find a place to actually get to the curb. Not related to the event itself but more how people parked. The person blocking the bus stop went into a different building and was left there for a very long time. It was still sitting there when the event ended and we left.

What Worked & What Did Not

Parking was scarce. We only had a spot since we showed up as vendors. There may have been more parking somewhere else, but I didn't think to ask until the morning of. It didn't impact us, but it may have prevented others from parking and shopping with us. It's hard to say.

There was a giant chunk missing out of the sidewalk going to the entrance of Nine Keys. Not their fault, they even tried to fill it with sand during the event to make it a little more even for people to walk across. Apparently they have been trying to get the landlord to fix it with no success. Hopefully they do. Aside from that, my location was great.



Location was cozy. I really liked the little intersection this shopping center was located on. It may have been small, but it was surrounded by houses which was probably wonderful for the people who lived in the area.

They offered us free sparkling water which was super nice. I forgot to take them up on it, but they were so accommodating.

Providing tents for shade for those of us who didn't have them. Wasn't expected at all and was a really kind thing to do.

Conclusion

I had no real expectations, but was happy to get to do more outdoor events locally. The store owner and spouse were extremely welcoming, even offering us water and had set up tents to shade those of us who were outside since space inside was limited.

I didn't make a ton of money nor did I ever go into the event expecting to. The location felt like it had decent local foot traffic. Most people were going to the bakery at the end of the street, but several did stop by and made small purchases, so it felt like a win. The local community was extremely friendly. Many asked me a lot about my products and talked about their pets, making it super worth it for us.

Would I do it again? Most likely. Everyone was really friendly and it was a very relaxed situation with no cost. Are all the events they host no cost? No clue, but 4 out of 6 cats got adopted and since that was the main point, it was definitely a win for the kitties with a bonus of us being able to make a few sales (and pet cats). They raised $500 from donations & adoption fees, which is amazing for such a small event!

The Details (TLDR)