THE FOREST CITY MARKET HOUSE

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

Follow Us: Stay up-to-date on all announcements, applications, and events on our Facebook page; https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61593953527368

Explore Our Website: Visit www.ForestCityMarketHouse.com — we have an entire section dedicated to promoting each of our vendors!

• General Email: Forestcitymarkethouse@gmail.com
• Applications & Contracts: Caren Stearns (carenstearns2022@gmail.com)

Food and beverage vendors must provide copies of all current permits, inspections, licenses and food-safety certifications required for their products and method of preparation. This may include approval from the local Health Department or North Carolina Department of Agriculture, Home Processor approval, commercial-kitchen documentation and applicable food-safety certification.

All required documentation must be submitted and approved before products may be sold at Forest City Market House. Vendors are responsible for maintaining current documentation and complying with all applicable state and local regulations.

Jury Photo Submission: Please attach 3-5 high-resolution photos of your individual products and at least 1 photo of a past booth/table display with this application (or link your business Instagram/Facebook above).

No Generators allowed on premise.

• The Forest City Market House will be providing individual in-house and social media marketing for each vendor.

• **Vendors participating in the front window displays must provide a physical sample of their work along with a small sign or plaque featuring their business name and assigned booth number.

By applying, vendors agree to adhere to all operating standards detailed in
The Forest City Market House Vendor Contract:  FCMH Vendor Contract

• Store Hours & Operating Presence: Standard business hours are Friday (10:00 AM – 7:00 PM), Saturday (10:00 AM – 7:00 PM), and Sunday (1:00 PM – 7:00 PM).
• Vendor is required to carry independent business/inventory insurance.
• Vendor Setup & Space Reservation: Initial vendor setup occurs October 12th – 16th (hours TBA). Vendors must provide their own tables, chairs, and displays unless otherwise arranged. Booths must be completely ready and operational by the end of the setup window. Unprepared spaces may be reassigned or relocated; if no space is available, the reservation fee is forfeited.
• Merchandise Standards & Conduct: All merchandise sold must be original artwork or handmade goods. No illegal, offensive, or counterfeit items are permitted. Vendors must conduct themselves in a professional, courteous manner. Distributing flyers or advertisements outside assigned booth space is prohibited without prior management approval.
• POS Systems, Commissioned Sales & Item Tagging: 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 subject to a 10% commission fee on central sales only.
• 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 accommodate the Central POS sales, all booth items must be securely tagged with the Vendor ID Code, Price, and Brief Description (e.g., "FC-12 / Blue Ceramic Mug / $24"). Untagged or unreadable items cannot be processed and will be placed in the main counter hold bin. Price changes require a new tag.
• Promotions / sales require a Promotion Request Form submitted at least 48 hours in advance.

• Maximum display height is 8 feet. Fixtures, inventory, and tables must remain within marked booth boundaries without blocking public aisles or fire exits.
• No open flames, permanent wall alterations, or unapproved electrical modifications are allowed (LED lighting must be UL-listed and approved). Restock inventory must be neatly concealed.
• Items may not be affixed to building walls, trees, or property without prior approval. Damages to booth space or venue property are the financial responsibility of the vendor.
• The facility utilizes security cameras. Vendors are strongly requested to install a small, visible security camera within their booth space to monitor inventory and deter theft.
• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Reservation Fee: A $100 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve an assigned booth space (applied toward first month's rent). Spaces are assigned upon application approval. Deposits are forfeited if the vendor fails to set up during designated setup times.
• Monthly Payouts: Direct deposit/check payouts occur on the 10th of each month for the prior month's sales, accompanied by an itemized sales report.
• Refunds: All booth fees are non-refundable unless the event is canceled by organizers. Unexplained early departures forfeit eligibility for refunds and future participation.

 

• 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 submitting a vendor application and completing payment, vendors agree to abide by these terms and conditions.

Non-compliance with these terms may result in immediate removal, without refund.

 

I have read the statement above and the Forest City Market House Vendor Contract and confirm both:   

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