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Monterey County Business Council seeks vendors for El Mercadito pop-up market in Soledad
Summary
The Monterey County Business Council opened vendor applications for El Mercadito, a new Soledad pop-up market aimed at supporting South Monterey County entrepreneurs; initial deadline Feb. 20 for the April 4 market, with rolling submissions afterward.
The Monterey County Business Council is recruiting vendors for El Mercadito, a new community pop-up market in the city of Soledad meant to showcase local entrepreneurs and boost South Monterey County small businesses. "Everyone is welcome to apply," said Jose Luis Barajas, program manager with the Monterey County Business Council, but he added the market will give preference to vendors from South Monterey County when similar vendors apply.
The council said applications are available in English and Spanish and that the initial deadline to be considered for the first market is Friday, Feb. 20 at 5 p.m. Applicants will be notified by Friday, Feb. 27 at 5 p.m.; the first market is scheduled for Saturday, April 4. Barajas said applications will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis for later events.
Barajas outlined the market’s planned schedule and terms: El Mercadito is tentatively monthly from April through September and bimonthly in the October–December holiday season, running 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fees are $50 for nonfood vendors and $80 for food vendors. The market will include community groups, student groups, marching bands and other performers, and a logo-design contest is being run in partnership with the city of Soledad and the Soledad Chamber of Commerce.
On permits and paperwork, Barajas said the Business Council provides technical assistance and that vendors do not need to have every permit in place to apply. Nonfood vendors are expected to obtain a City of Soledad business license (which requires an EIN), and some sellers may need a California Department of Tax and Fee Administration seller’s permit. Food vendors should confirm the correct environmental health permits for their operation (temporary food facility, mobile food facility, or food truck permits, as applicable). "We're here to help folks figure that out, every step of the way," Barajas said.
Contact and application access: the Business Council lists the vendor application on its website and Linktree, and Barajas provided an email for questions: jose@mcbc.biz and phone (831) 216-3000. Organizers said office-based technical assistance is available in Monterey, Soledad and Salinas for applicants who need help completing online forms.
The council emphasized the goal of making the market family-friendly while directing resources toward historically underserved entrepreneurs in South Monterey County. Interested vendors should apply by the initial February deadline to be considered for the April market; those not selected may be considered for later dates.
