The Urban Street Exchange Holiday Market has quickly become one of the most unique, and can't miss, events in Tampa. Combining a pop-up market of local vendors with plenty of events such as boxing demonstrations, dance routines, skateboarders, and even a tiny home display.
The third edition will be held at MacDinton's on Dec. 9th at 2:00 p.m., and brings together some diverse parts of Tampa's culture under one umbrella.
"It supports local business, but it's not an indie farmers or flea market," says founder Amanda Carey, who had this event evolve as organically as much of the food served by the vendors. "It's an urban pop-up market. We're looking to showcase local artists, and with an emphasis on quality over quantity." Carey founded the events as a way to combine her passions, and it's become quite successful in the few events held so far.
A skateboard demonstration will be set up with a halfpipe in MacDintons parking lot, and Jay Turner of the School of Skatin' in St. Pete skate park and some fellow pros will show off their skills. There will also be shows from the VYB Dance Company, a boxing demo from the Optimum Gym, and a full tiny house from Tampa Bay Tiny Homes, as seen on the popular shows on the HGTV or DIY Networks.
"We support things that make you sweat, and always some type of board as well: surf, skate, etc," says Carey. "There's also a very laid-back no shirts, no shoes, no problem vibe around the events, with lots of healthy and outdoorsy things happening." And despite that emphasis on quality, there are plenty of vendors for your holiday shopping.
It's a diverse and eclectic group in attendance on both the business and customer sides, and that adds to the charm of bringing together many sides of the Tampa Bay community. Even in the middle of the chi-chi SoHo, you'll see everything from tattooed hipsters to Yoga Mom's all doing their holiday shopping while taking in the performances and demonstrations.
Some of the vendors to appear include:
Tampa Bay Tiny Homes
Ducky's Sports Lounge
Surf Outfitter
The Blind Tiger Cafe Seminole Heights
Lunchbox Wax
Club Pilates
Silver Palm Studio
Raw Smoothie Company
Hooked Candles
Mandalina Love
Feather Fate and Steel
Vegan Shaved Ice Cream
Banjo's BBQ Grill Pavilion
VYB Dance Studio
Well Built Bikes
South Tampa Paintball
Uriah's Urban Farm
ShineBright Supply Co.
L.D. Ashworth
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