THE FOREST CITY MARKET HOUSE

Graham Cash Building-149 E. Main St, Forest City, NC
STUDIOS • ARTS • CAFÉ • COMMUNITY

Market House Operating Hours:

Fri- 10am-7pm
Sat- 10am-7pm
Sun- 1pm-5pm

• October 12, 2026 (Vendor Move-In): Early building access opens so you can set up, decorate, and arrange your space at your own pace.
• October 16 – November 12, 2026 (Soft Opening): Doors open for low-pressure sales, giving you time to test inventory and tweak your layout based on real shopper feedback.
• Friday, November 13, 2026 (Grand Opening & Ribbon-Cutting): Our official kickoff! Local media, holiday festivities, and heavy promotion to maximize holiday sales.
• December 30, 2026 – January 14, 2027 (Restock Buffer): Time to catch your breath, take stock, and restock after the holiday rush.
• January – March 2027 (Winter Shift): We’ll use these quieter post-season months to make further renovations to the Market itself and give you time to transition and build out permanent displays, all while maintaining steady community engagement on Main Street.
• First Week of April 2027 (Spring Launch): Our official grand launch as Forest City’s permanent, year-round home for local makers!

• Holiday Market Rate (Oct – Dec 2026): $200 – $300 per month (Covers the full 3-month run, including 12 market weekends, soft opening support, and rotating Main Street window displays).

Permanent Rate (Jan 2027 onward): Honest, low-overhead monthly pricing to keep your business sustainable as we shift into permanent year-round operation

• All items sold must be original artwork or handmade. We reserve the right to ask that any item not meeting these requirements set out by the event organizer be removed from display.
• Vendors must conduct themselves in a professional and courteous manner.
• No illegal, offensive, or counterfeit goods may be sold at the event.
• Vendors may not distribute flyers, brochures, or advertisements outside their assigned booth space without prior approval.

• Vendors can start setting up on Oct. 12^th -16^th. Hours TBA..
• Vendors must provide their own tables, chairs, and displays unless otherwise arranged.
• No items may be affixed to building walls, trees, or other property without prior approval.
• Booth decorations and structures must be stable and safe for attendees.
• Vendors must arrive on time and have their booth fully set up before opening.
• Each vendor is responsible for maintaining a clean and organized booth space.
• Vendors are responsible for disposing of all trash and ensuring their area is clean before leaving.
• Any damages to the area, booth space, or event property caused by the vendor or their representatives will be the financial responsibility of the vendor.
• All vendors are required to adhere to the guidelines set forth by the organizers and local authorities.
• Vendors must be ready and operational by the end of the vendor setup dates. If not, we reserve the right to reassign your reserved

space. If another suitable location is available, you may be relocated. If no suitable space is available, you will forfeit your reservation fee and will not be permitted to set up for that month.

• Restock Storage: Backstock must be neatly hidden using table skirts, closed cabinets, or storage bins.
• Keep It Stocked & Clean: Empty booths sell less. Check your space weekly to dust, restock, and keep displays visually appealing.

• Approved Equipment: All electrical appliances, refrigeration, heating elements, and espresso devices must be pre-approved by management to ensure electrical panel capacity. All equipment must be UL-listed.
• Plumbing & Waste: On-site preparation spaces requiring water must connect strictly to approved potable water sources and greywater drains. Grease and food solids must never be poured down facility sinks or drains. Vendors producing grease must dispose of it off-site in compliance with local environmental laws.
• Trash & Recyclables: Food vendors generate higher waste volumes and are required to empty their booth trash into designated exterior dumpsters at the end of each operating day.

Health Department Approval: Vendors serving unpackaged, temperature-controlled, or prepared foods must maintain a valid permit from the Rutherford County Health Department and comply with all North Carolina Division of Public Health food sanitation regulations.

• Cottage Food & Packaged Goods: Vendors selling pre-packaged goods produced under NC Home Processor regulations must provide a copy of their NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (NCDA&CS) inspection letter.
• Insurance Requirements: Food and beverage vendors must carry a minimum of $1,000,000 in Commercial General Liability Insurance naming The Forest City Market House as an additionally insured party. Proof of coverage must be submitted upon approval and kept current.
• Food Safety & Cleanliness: Vendors are responsible for maintaining clean, sanitary conditions within their space at all times. Deep cleaning of equipment, countertops, and floor areas must occur daily.

Vendors are encouraged to maintain an operational presence during business hours with their own POS system for in-house sales. When absent, transactions can be managed through the FCMH Central POS system but will be subject to a 10% commission fee. On the 10th of every month, each vendor will receive their direct payouts, complete with itemized sales reports for sales through the Central POS System.

• If you are absent, or chose to have your booth closed during business hours, you are required to have both a physical barrier preventing customer entry, as well as a booth closed sign with your business name and booth number on it.
• If you choose to keep your booth open during business hours but will not be present, you will need to comply with the Central POS Accommodations.

To ensure your sales are tracked accurately through our central register, every item in your booth must be clearly tagged before going onto the floor.

• All booth items must be securely tagged with the Vendor ID Code, Price, and Brief Description (e.g., "FC-12 / Blue Ceramic Mug / $24").
• Tag Attachment: Secure tags tightly using string, barcode stickers, or tagging guns. Items without readable vendor tags cannot be sold and will be placed in the "Unidentified Items" hold bin at the main counter.
• Price Changes: Do not cross out prices with a pen. Replace the entire tag to avoid confusion at checkout.
• Promotions/sales require a Promotion Request Form submitted at least 48 hours in advance.

• Maximum display height is 8 feet.
• Vendors must comply with any venue safety regulations, including fire safety guidelines.
• Keep all fixtures, tables, and inventory within your marked booth boundaries. Displays must not spill into public aisles or block fire exits.
• No open flames, permanent wall alterations, or unapproved electrical modifications (LED strip lighting must be UL-listed and approved by management). Surge protected, power strips only, no extension cords allowed.

• Building Surveillance: For the safety and protection of all vendors, staff, and guests, common areas and main shopping spaces within the venue are monitored by 24/7 central security camera systems.

To safeguard individual inventory, reduce loss, and protect vendor assets, all booth spaces are required to maintain a small, clearly visible security camera.

• Vendor Responsibility: Each vendor is responsible for installing, maintaining, and powering their own booth camera system.
• Benefits & Usage: Booth cameras provide vendors with remote monitoring capabilities, serve as a visual theft deterrent, and supply video confirmation of customer interactions.
• POS Verification: In the event of a inventory discrepancy, refund dispute, or suspected theft, video footage from your booth camera may be requested by management to cross-reference and validate Point of Sale (POS) transaction records.

• All cameras (both central and vendor-provided) must be positioned in plain sight and directed exclusively toward retail and display spaces. Camera placement in private or non-retail areas (such as restrooms, fitting rooms, or employee break spaces) is strictly prohibited. Footage collected by vendors should be handled in accordance with local privacy guidelines and used solely for security and transaction verification purposes.

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GNCC - https://www.amazon.com/stores/page/FB0E7B00-B16E-4481-BFEA-1EC7DF8FEB9B?ingress=2&lp_context_asin=B0G1RLQBP6&lp_context_query=mini%20security%20camera%20indoor&visitId=6ad95f80-9c5b-4be6-968d-62826feafe33&store_ref=bl_ast_dp_brandlogo_sto&ref_=ast_bln

• Risk of Loss: Vendor acknowledges that the Forest City Market House does not provide insurance coverage for Vendor's inventory, fixtures, or personal property.
• Limitation of Liability: The Forest City Market House, its owners, and staff are not liable for any damage, loss, theft, or destruction of Vendor's merchandise due to shoplifting, fire, water, natural disasters, or accidental damage.
• Vendor is required to carry independent business/inventory insurance.
• Vendors agree to indemnify and hold harmless the event organizers, venue, and associated personnel from any claims, damages, or liabilities arising from their participation.

Insureon - Guide to vendor liability insurance
https://www.insureon.com/blog/vendor-insurance-requirements-guide

Insurance Canopy -https://www.insurancecanopy.com/vendor-insurance/annual

K&K Insurance -https://www.kandkinsurance.com/programs/event-insurance/vendor-liability-insurance

• Reservation Fee - $100 non-refundable deposit is required for the reservation of assigned space. Spaces will be assigned once the application has been approved. The deposit will be applied to the first months rent.
• The deposit is non-refundable only if the vendor fails to set up during the allotted setup dates and times.
• Monthly Payouts: Direct deposit/check payouts occur on the 10th of each month for the previous month's sales, along with an itemized sales report.
• All booth fees are non-refundable unless the event is canceled by the organizers.
  • Full payment must be received by the stated deadline to secure a booth space.
  • Vendors who vacate their space before the month is over, without reasonable explanation, will not be eligible for refunds or future participation.

• The weekend market will proceed rain or shine unless extreme weather or unforeseen circumstances require cancellation.
• Organizers reserve the right to modify event times, booth assignments, or guidelines as needed.

• Menu Exclusivity: Management reserves the right to limit duplicate menu items across food vendors to maintain product variety and commercial viability for all market partners.
• Indemnification: The vendor agrees to hold harmless The Forest City Market House, venue owners, and employees against any claims, illness, injury, or damages arising from the consumption or sale of food and beverage products produced by the vendor.
• Termination: Non-compliance with Rutherford County health codes, fire codes, or market guidelines may result in immediate revocation of vendor privileges without refund.

By signing below, I acknowledge that I have read, understood, and agreed to abide by all rules, policies, and guidelines outlined in the Vendor Application and The Forest City Market House Vendor Contract. I understand that non-compliance with these terms may result in immediate removal from the market without refund.

I agree to indemnify and hold harmless The Forest City Market House, venue owners, event organizers, and associated personnel from any claims, losses, damages, or liabilities arising from my participation or display of merchandise.

The Forest City Market House • 149 E. Main Street, Forest City, NC 28043