Markets by Dream Day is a boutique multi-vendor marketplace, bringing the best of Durham Region’s handmade products together in one convenient location. With stores in Brooklin, Bowmanville and Pickering, Markets by Dream Day features high-quality artisanal home goods, food, clothing, and more from more than 150+ local vendors.

Following the successful opening of the Brooklin store in 2019 and Bowmanville store in the summer of 2020, Markets kicked off their third location inside the Pickering Town Centre (PTC) just before the holidays in 2020.

With three locations across the Durham Region, supporting local entrepreneurs has never been easier and further strengthens the economic recovery of the region, with 100 per cent of product sales going into the pocket of the artisan. Since 2019, Markets customers have supported local makers to the tune of over $1.6 million.

Markets uses a store-within-a-store concept and operates on a consignment basis. This means that:

• During open hours, all items are rung through the main register when purchased by a customer.

• All products are individually tagged by the vendor with a price and vendor code. We do not sell any items without a product code or price attached.

• We charge the customer – not the vendor – a 13% administration fee on every transaction but do not charge tax. This helps pay for housekeeping, supplies and the hiring of trained sales associate available to customers at all times. This administration fee also keeps the cost of rent down for vendors.

• Vendors receive the full amount they sell their item for, and are responsible for working tax into their product cost if they choose.

• Vendors are also responsible for ensuring stock is available in store, keeping an eye on their inventory and doing their own inventory paperwork.

• Daily/hourly tidying of market space and stocking as needed by one of our associates.

• Sales associates trained on your products so Markets can provide all customers with information as needed.

• Access to a private vendor-only Facebook group – this is great for connecting with other vendors to share resources and for new vendors to reach out to our veterans to learn about what works for them, get advice on marketing and sales and more.

• Ability to schedule a Meet the Maker pop-up event where vendors can highlight their full product line. This is a perfect time to meet customers or take custom orders on spot. Please note that all sales are rung through the main register during these events and paid out with a vendor’s regular two-week payments by cheque.

• Ability to list ready-made or made-to-order products on the Markets website.

• Facebook and Instagram recognition and access to preferred rates through the Markets professional photographer.

Please note: Markets is open a minimum of five days a week including all weekends unless it is a statutory holiday, and has extended hours for weeks leading up to holidays.

We offer shipping services for makers who live further away and would prefer to send us their items rather than make the drive. We also offer a shuttle service between stores. If a vendor lives closer to one store, they can drop their products off there by a certain day and we will take them to another store and stock for you. We also offer pick-ups at all 3 locations and workshops at our Bowmanville location*.

* Please note: there may be an associated cost with these services.

We pride ourselves in having the finest quality products in our stores. Applications will be reviewed by a panel and if a vendor is accepted they will receive an email. Markets will review potential vendors based on quality of work and social media presence and ask that when applying vendors keep in mind that all items must have a local, handmade aspect to them.

We do not accept similar products to what we already have in store. This is done to avoid oversaturation of one type of product and continue to keep our unique market atmosphere. Please be sure to include a complete list of all products you wish to stock – any items not listed will not be allowed. If we do not currently have a vendor selling the item you wish to add, only then will you be allowed to stock new types of items on your booth/shelf.

Unfortunately, only successful applicants will be given notice by email. We receive many applications a day, so we ask that applicants please do not email us to check up on their application. Those who are not successful will be put on a waiting list and will be reached out to if a space becomes available.  

Once a vendor has been accepted they have 48 hours to accept the offer and make their payment or we will move on to the next person in line. Vendors will be asked to promote Markets at least once a week on both Facebook and Instagram as it will help strengthen their own brand and the Markets brand online.

To make sure all Market spaces are on-brand, we hold veto power over how a vendor space is set up. This is why during the application process we ask that vendors send us photos and/or a sketch of what their space will look like. We ask that if a vendor wishes to attach anything to the wall/fixtures/shelves that they talk to us first. For this reason, we prefer free-standing displays.  Markets by Dream Day will pick where your space will be located from the spaces we have available at the time of application.

No, there are no refunds on rent if a vendor chooses to leave without giving us proper notice or if they have broken any of the rules stated herein. There are no refunds on rent or deposits if a vendor is asked to leave Markets by Dream Day early for any reason or if there is damage to their space after they’ve left.  Refunds of deposits will be issued if you give us proper notice on leaving and have left your space in the same condition you received it.  Refunds are issued by cheque the next pay period after a vendor has moved out.

All written and oral information and materials disclosed or provided by Markets by Dream Day (including emails, private social media messages, posts in the private vendor group, this contract, etc.) is confidential and should not be shared with the general pubic or competitors.

Confidential information means all data and information related to the business and management of Markets by Dream Day, including, but not limited to, customer information, intellectual property, marketing and development information, business operations, product information, production processes, and service information.

You agree to hold all confidential, proprietary information or trade secrets in strict trust and confidence and to never remove or copy any confidential material of any kind from any of our stores or digital spaces (including our website, private Facebook group, etc.)