Blog: On Criticism

The mother of a friend of mine recently sent me a thread from an Etsy site that featured some harsh criticism of how I've been running the Davis Flea Market (keep in mind, the market has been in existence for about 6 weeks, although it has been gestating in my imagination for a good deal longer).

People felt excluded, discriminated against even, for my decision to only consider applications from Davis residents.  One Etsy member suggested they picket in front of the next market, while another promised to never support "this type of narrow mindset promoter".

Although I am well-versed in the pitfalls of reading the "bottom-half" of the internet, which in recent years has become the natural showcase for the worst in our culture--our prejudice, our spitefulness, our pettiness--I was gutted by what I read.  

I took some time before responding to these remarks and I'd like to do so here on Davis Patch, an open community forum, so that I can not only broach these problems but invite further feedback. Let me explain the reasoning behind my "Davis only" decision, one that I might add, is not fixed.  

To assuage the fears of local business owners in Davis, and the association that represents them, I promised only to consider applications from Davis residents.  As it turned out, this was no difficult chore for our first market in January.  I had a wealth of great local vendors apply who really understood what the flea was all about: sustainable commerce and grassroots culture; the only garage sale in town with a live band and a DJ and an a cappella choir, where a five-year-old can be an entrepreneur for the day.

Also, as many people have already pointed out, the E Street Plaza is not an unlimited space, although it is an empty one 90 per cent of the time.  I am in talks with various landlords around town about other possible locations, even though I believe E Street Plaza provides an important symbolic function and I would be sorry to leave it.  

By expanding and leaving a city owned space, we could consider all kinds of vendors regardless of their address in the near future. At present, I am particularly drawn to the empty shop fronts just north of the G Street Food Co-op, and the life and energy we could bring to that part of town which lately has endured some troubled times (how I miss thee, dear Sweet Briar).  

Many people have suggested we consider the Farmers Market/Central Park, and to a sane person that would seem like a very attractive option.  But when you're a romantic like myself and the many wonderful volunteers I work with, a parking lot and a defunct dry cleaners is a potential wonderland.  

We want to transform, reinvent and surprise.  We want to leave our prints all over this town, despite our lack of money or political clout.  When you have this much energy and momentum, those things don't seem all that important anymore.

My Amtrak ride is coming to a close so I'll tackle one last point: the connection between commerce and culture.  Currently, the fee which vendors pay to participate at the market covers a host of expenses, from insurance to permits to equipment rental, but it also goes to some of the people who make Davis an exciting place to live in.  

At our market on January 29th, the market financed performances by Nikhil Joglekar and Tha Dirt Feelin (click on the YouTube video!).  We didn't have a huge check for them, but I could guarantee them payment for their time and talent and let me tell you, as a musician, that can be a hard gig to find in this town.  

I talked a little bit earlier about the green ethos of the market, but speaking personally and perhaps selfishly, my goal is to make the Davis Flea Market the best show in town, a place where bands coming to play at Sophia's and Luigi's will stay a night so they can play Nor Cal's most eclectic and experimental of flea markets. And get paid to do it.  

I believe in the old saying that a rising tide lifts all boats, so maybe someday my project, the Souterrain, will benefit from a more vibrant local scene.  We were fortunate enough to have our first studio recording financed by local artist and entrepreneur Ursula Labermeier of riki, so we know full well the power of collaboration between business and the arts.

So in summary: Sacramento, I am sorry.  I never meant to hurt you.  I'm still getting my sea legs and I hope in the very near future we can point this ship east, and in every other conceivable direction, from our little town.  I want to learn with you, and from you, in a spirit of camaraderie and commerce.  

In the meantime, Nina Gatewood of the DDBA and Haute Again is taking applications for an arts and crafts fair to be held in June.  I'll make the application available at our website and Facebook in the coming week.

All my best, Lauren Norton Director/Founder of Davis Flea Market.

Come out on February 26th for over thirty vendors, Irish dancers, body poppers and featured act, The West Nile Ramblers, at E Street Plaza. 11am to 3pm.