Our operational guidelines exist to maintain a vibrant, high-quality retail environment for our shoppers while protecting the time, safety, and investment of every participating business. By fostering a well-organized and professional atmosphere, we empower our community of makers, artisans, and small business owners to thrive.
Embedded Files
To maintain the integrity of Main Street Market as a dedicated retail shopping destination, all participating vendors must meet the following criteria.
Product Sales Requirement
At least 80% of a vendor’s gross sales offerings must consist of physical products or tangible goods. Eligible merchandise includes handmade goods, artisan creations, curated retail items, or packaged food/beverage products available for immediate purchase at the market.
Service-Based Businesses
Businesses whose primary business model focuses on promoting services rather than retail goods (such as real estate, fitness studios, home improvement, insurance, or professional services) do not qualify for retail vendor spaces. Service-based enterprises are warmly invited to participate through our Sponsorship Program, which offers dedicated promotional channels designed specifically for service providers.
Verification & Compliance
Main Street Market reserves the right to request product lists, itemization, or inventory details during the application review process to confirm alignment with our retail standards. Non-compliance with the 80% product requirement may result in application reclassification or redirection to our sponsorship team.
Hosting an outdoor market in Florida means navigating dynamic, unpredictable weather. Vendor and shopper safety is always our highest priority.
Rain or Shine Event
Main Street Market is an outdoor event and operates rain or shine during standard weather conditions. Vendors should plan accordingly with proper tent sidewalls and display protections for light precipitation.
Severe Weather Protocols
The safety of our vendors, staff, and guests is our top priority. Market management continuously monitors weather forecasts and reserves the exclusive right to delay opening, alter event hours, or cancel a market in the event of severe or hazardous conditions (including, but not limited to, high sustained winds, severe lightning, or tropical weather warnings).
Refunds & Credits
All vendor & sponsor booth fees are strictly non-refundable and non-transferable. Because event overhead, permits, and marketing investments are committed prior to each market date, refunds or fee roll-overs are not issued for bad weather or severe weather cancellations.
Maintaining a safe, professional, and visually elevated market environment requires proper equipment and secure booth setups. All vendors are required to meet the following structural and safety standards during market hours.
Mandatory Tent Weights
Safety on Lakewood Ranch Main Street is paramount due to unexpected wind gusts. Every 10×10 canopy must be secured with a minimum of 30 lbs per tent leg (120 lbs total per tent) immediately upon setup. Tents without proper, secured weights will not be permitted to open under any circumstances. Note: Water jugs and dumbbells are not acceptable weights.
Canopy & Display Standards
To preserve the elevated aesthetic of Main Street Market, all vendors are required to use clean and professional tents, etc. Displays must be visually appealing, neatly styled, and kept within your designated footprint. Table coverings should extend to the ground to conceal under-table storage.
Trash & Space Maintenance
Vendors are responsible for maintaining a clean, hazard-free booth space throughout the event. At the conclusion of the market, vendors must clear all trash, boxes, and debris from their 10×10 area. Market trash receptacles are reserved exclusively for public guest use.
Smooth market days depend on timely arrivals, organized loading procedures, and safe breakdown protocols.
Morning Arrival & Load-In
Street access opens at 7:30 AM. Enter at the Starbucks/Grove light in single file.
Align your tent so it is centered on the numbered cone at the curb.
Unload First, Setup Second: Unload supplies onto the curb and immediately move your vehicle off the street before opening tents or assembling displays. Exit via the east breezeway or near The Fish Hole into the designated vendor parking lots behind local shops.
All vehicles must be parked off the street by 8:45 AM, when barricades are installed. Vehicles arriving after 8:45 AM must haul supplies on foot.
Market Hours & Early Breakdown
Shopping hours run from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
Vendors are required to keep booths fully open until 2:00 PM. Early breakdown is not permitted.
Afternoon Breakdown & Vehicle Load-Out
Pack First: Booths must be 100% packed down and ready to load before you retrieve your vehicle.
Vehicle Re-Entry no earlier than 2:30 PM: To protect pedestrian safety, vehicles are prohibited from entering or lining up at the street entrance until 2:30 PM.
Re-enter via Starbucks/Grove in single file, load efficiently, and exit via the breezeways or near The Fish Hole.
All participating vendors operate as independent business entities and are fully responsible for maintaining compliance with state, local, and federal regulations.
General Liability Insurance
General Liability Insurance
To ensure the safety and protection of our event, General Liability Insurance is mandatory for all participating vendors. Vendors must submit a Certificate of Insurance (COI) prior to their first market date meeting the following minimum coverage limits:
$1,000,000 Per Occurrence
$2,000,000 General Aggregate
Certificate Holder & Additional Insured Requirements also apply
Need Insurance? We offer access to discounted per-event or seasonal policy rates through ACT Insurance.
Florida Sales Tax
Florida Sales Tax
Vendors are individually responsible for obtaining a Florida Sales Tax ID, as well as collecting, reporting, and remitting the required 7% Florida Sales Tax on all taxable merchandise sold at Main Street Market.
Licensing, Permits & Cottage Food Compliance
Licensing, Permits & Cottage Food Compliance
Vendors must possess all necessary federal, state, and local licenses, business registrations, and health permits required to sell their specific products.
Food & Beverage Vendors: Must comply with all local health department rules, possess proper food handler permits, or adhere strictly to Florida Cottage Food Law standards where applicable.
Documentation or permits must be kept on site in your booth during market hours and made available upon request.
To maintain a vibrant, boutique shopping atmosphere, Main Street Market thoughtfully curates every event to prevent category oversaturation and ensure a balanced, high-quality experience for both vendors and shoppers.
Category Caps & Curation
Category Caps & Curation
Identical Product Styles
Strictly limited to two vendors per category when product lines, aesthetics, or branding are nearly identical.
Similar but Distinct Products
Three or more vendors may be accepted in broader categories (e.g., candles, jewelry, apparel) if each brand brings a distinctly unique style, ingredient profile, or aesthetic.
Overall Market Balance
We actively monitor product distribution across the entire event footprint to ensure no single category dominates the market.
Intentional Booth Placement
Intentional Booth Placement
Vendors offering similar items will be strategically spaced throughout the street to minimize direct competition, optimize foot traffic flow, and ensure maximum visibility for your booth.
We love welcoming your four-legged friends to Main Street Market! To ensure a safe, clean, and enjoyable environment for all shoppers, vendors, and pets, we ask that all pet owners adhere to the following guidelines.
Pet Etiquette & Safety
Pet Etiquette & Safety
Leash Required
Pets must remain on a standard leash (under owner control and close supervision) at all times.
Behavior Expectations
Pets must be friendly and non-aggressive toward people and other animals.
Respecting Booth Spaces
Please keep pets at a safe distance from vendor displays, physical merchandise, and low-standing product tables.
Clean-Up Responsibility
Pet owners are strictly required to clean up and properly dispose of any accidents immediately.
Management Oversight
For the safety and comfort of all attendees, market management reserves the right to request the removal of any disruptive, aggressive, or uncontrolled pet from the event footprint.
By participating as an approved vendor at Main Street Market, you grant Main Street Market LWR LLC permission to capture and use photography, video, and audio recordings of your booth space, products, and personnel.
Promotional Scope
Promotional Scope
Media collected during market hours may be used across our official website, Instagram, Facebook, digital marketing campaigns, and promotional print materials.
Brand Visibility
Brand Visibility
Content is captured to highlight our vendor community, showcase event atmosphere, and promote future market dates to shoppers and followers.
Image Rights
Image Rights
Vendors waive any rights to compensation or pre-approval regarding the editorial or promotional use of these marketing assets.
Google Sites
Report abuse