Wait - what is a Public Market?
Hey, we know this public market concept is new - so we're here to help out.  To start, see the above image of a public market - this is an architect rendering of Union Market in Washington DC.  This public market "look" is popular around the country - taking an old warehouse, renovating it, and filling it with small food vendors, artisans, and retailers.

Next, check out a definition of a public market:
A Public Market is a year-round, carefully crafted, intentional and diverse medley of owner-operated shops, stalls and/ or “daytables”.  Public Markets exist to fulfill a public purpose, showcase a community's unique character and culture while serving its everyday shopping needs. - PublicMarketDevelopment.com
To explore further, see below examples of public markets around the country.  Although our complete business model is not exactly the same as these markets, our overall concept is very similar.

4th Street Market, Santa Ana, California

5Similarities:
  • Number of tenants (16 vendors)
  • Puts on events
  • Urban outdoor eating space

Differences:
  • Size - 4th Street (30,000 SF) vs Blue Dogwood (4,500 SF with smaller retail spaces)
  • 4th Street has an incubator kitchen & food rental space

Downtown Market Grand Rapids, Michigan

Similarities:
  • Number of tenants (24 vendors)
  • Puts on events

Differences:
  • Size - Downtown Market (138,000 SF) vs Blue Dogwood (4,500 SF with smaller rental spaces)
  • Downtown Market has an incubator kitchen

East End Market, Orlando, Florida

Similarities:
  • Number of tenants (18 vendors)
  • Puts on events

Differences:
  • Size - East End (14,000 SF) vs Blue Dogwood (4,500 SF with smaller retail spaces)
  • East End has a demo kitchen

Gansevoort Market, New York City

Similarities:
  • Number of tenants (21 vendors)

Differences:
  • Size - Gansevoort (8,000 SF) vs Blue Dogwood (4,500 SF with smaller retail spaces)
  • Blue Dogwood puts on events
  • Blue Dogwood has outdoor eating space

Krog Street Market, Atlanta, Georgia

Similarities:
  • Number of tenants (23 vendors)

Differences:
  • Size - Krog Street (12,000 SF) vs Blue Dogwood (4,500 SF with smaller retail spaces)
  • Blue Dogwood puts on events
  • Blue Dogwood has outdoor eating space

Milwaukee Public Market, Wisconsin

Similarities:
  • Number of tenants (18 vendors)
  • Puts on events

Differences:
  • Size - Milwaukee Public (28,000 SF) vs Blue Dogwood (4,500 SF with smaller retail spaces)
  • Blue Dogwood has outdoor eating space

NewBo City Market - Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Similarities:
  • Number of tenants (20 vendors)
  • Really focus on their entrepreneurs
  • Pop-up vendors
  • Puts on events

Differences:
  • Size - NewBo (18,000 SF) vs. Blue Dogwood (4,500 SF with comparable but slightly smaller retail spaces)
And if you're really inspired and think this public market thing is super fun (like we do!), check out other markets around the country that we love.  Or even better, plan a visit and report back!

The Anaheim Packing House - Anaheim, California
The Barlow - Sonoma County, California
Ferry Building Marketplace - San Francisco, California 
Grand Central Market - Los Angeles, California
Gotham West Market - New York City
Oxbow Public Market - Napa, California
Mercado San Agustin - Tucson, Arizona
St Roch Market - New Orleans, Louisiana
Sweet Auburn Curb Market - Atlanta, Georgia
The Source - Denver, Colorado
Union Market - Washington DC