Please read all information prior to submitting an application. Submitting an application means that you agree to all terms and conditions of River Street Market.

RIVER STREET MARKET 2025 HANDBOOK

Market Dates and Times:

• Every Saturday 9:00am-12:00pm April through December (excluding 2 Saturdays closest to Christmas Day & New Years Day)
• We are open rain or shine except during severe weather. Any closures will be announced by email and posted on social media as well as the River Street Market Vendors Group on Facebook. In case of severe weather (high winds, lightning, extreme heat/cold, frozen precipitation), we will cancel the market, and all prepaid invoices will be applied to future dates.

Market Location:

Old Towne Petersburg
30 River Street
Petersburg, VA 23803
(in the gravel parking lot adjacent to the Historic Farmers Market Building, currently operating as The Croaker Spot)

Market Eligibility:

1. All vendors must apply in order to vend. Applying does NOT guarantee you a spot in the market. Applications are evaluated by the Market Manager of River Street Market, which operates as a fully non-profit organization.

2. Each applicant must have access to email. All communications are done through email.

3. Upon approval, each vendor is responsible for obtaining proper licensing, tags and all other required documents and equipment as listed in the application. All vendors assume the responsibilities of their own operations and participate in the market at their own risk. You are required to obtain your own liability insurance, as the market’s insurance will not cover your individual business liabilities.

4. You will receive an invoice by email prior to your official start date based on the payment option selected on your application. Vendor fees are due no later than noon on market day. Token reimbursement will go toward scheduled vendor fees. 

• The MAIN SEASON market fee is $20.00 per market day OR $60 per 4 pre-scheduled market dates (25% off), OR $450 for the entire 38 market season(40% off).
• Vendor fees may be paid by credit/debit card, PayPal, check or cash. Failure to pay vendor fees by noon on due date will result in future market dates being cancelled until payment is made. Late payments will also affect booth placement.
• If a vendor finds that they will be absent from a Saturday market, an email must be sent to the Market Manager by Wednesday at noon or the absence will be considered unexcused. 4 unexcused absences will result in the suspension of all market dates. No-call (text/email), no-shows will result in suspension of all market dates. Exceptions will be made on a case-by-case basis.

5. All products must be handmade, homemade, grown in Virginia or the local region (NC, WV, MD, PA). 

• You must upload images of items that you intend to sell. If you wish to add new items beyond those listed on your initial application, you must submit an update to your Manage My Market account and include photos of each new item. These items must be reviewed by the market manager and approved prior to selling.
• NO products may be sold without prior approval. If a market manager discovers you’re selling items that have not been approved, then we reserve the right to have you remove them from your booth. If you do not comply, then you will not be able to vend at RSM any further.
• Products with adult content, profanity, or nudity must be approved by the market manager and will need to be displayed in an inconspicuous manner. We are a family-friendly market with a vibrant youth program. Products depicting violence or of a graphic nature will not be allowed at the market.
• If you sell items produced or made by another local person, farm or artisan, you must know the producer personally and inform the public of the fact that you did not grow nor make the item.
• DO NOT REPRESENT PRODUCE AS BEING GROWN BY YOU IF IT IS NOT. MAKE SURE THE MARKET MANAGER IS AWARE AND HAS APPROVED ANY PRODUCE NOT GROWN BY YOU.

6. All vendors must adhere to sanitary procedures as outlined by the Virginia Health Department (VDH) or VA Dept of Agriculture and Consumer Services(VDACS).

• If your product is shelf stable, it can be sold under the VDACS retail sales exemption. But if your product requires refrigeration, it must be inspected through VDH.
• Any vendor that wants to sell temperature-controlled foods will need to provide proof of kitchen inspection and upload all relevant food safety documents.
• Any vendor found selling contaminated/improperly stored foods or produce, or selling in the market without proper health precautions, shall be suspended until satisfactory clearance has been obtained from the VDH and the Market Manager.
• Any vendor/demonstrator/sampler preparing or serving food at the market must have a proper handwashing station.

7. Smoking/Pets: There will be NO smoking/vaping or pets allowed in any vendor stall spaces or on RSM premises. Exceptions can be made for livestock animals in relation to your business/farm/trade with prior approval. The use of alcohol or illegal drugs on the host grounds is strictly prohibited.

8. Vendor Displays:

• All vendors are responsible for their own tables, chairs, tents, etc.
• Tent weights are REQUIRED. 
• Banners, A-frames, table coverings and signs are strongly encouraged. Vendor booths with no canopy, plain tables, little to no signage or marketable displays will not have priority placement at the market and will be encouraged to wait to vend until they are able to market their product in a pleasant, attractive way. Market Management is happy to help with booth presentation!
• Pricing and labeling of each item is REQUIRED. Food items need to be clearly labeled and MUST include a list of ingredients, allergen information, and location that the item was prepared. If product is exempt from inspection label MUST contain the phrase “NOT FOR RESALE – PROCESSED AND PREPARED WITHOUT STATE INSPECTION”
• All vendors must fit all their equipment within their assigned 10×10 (or 10×20) space.
• All vendors are responsible for collecting and paying their own state and local sales taxes.
• All pricing methods and any scales used for weighing products must be fully visible to customers.

9. The market opens at 9am. Vendors must arrive by 8am. All vendors must be completely set up when the market opens, and have their items cleared out by one hour after the market closes. If a vendor sells out, they must display signage saying so and stay until the market closes. NO MOVEMENT OF VEHICLES/TRAILERS DURING MARKET HOURS WITHOUT APPROVAL AND MARKET STAFF GUIDANCE ENTERING OR EXITING MARKET SITE.

10. All vendors must be respectful of each other’s space and the host grounds. Please keep all vending activity to your assigned space. Do not approach customers who are at another tent to tell them about your products or call out to them while they are speaking with another vendor.

11. All injuries must be reported to the market manager immediately. We have a first aid kit onsite.