BECOME A SOKO MARKETPLACE VENDOR
The SOKO Marketplace
Every Week, Every Saturday!
From 7am - 1pm
Address:
Shady Park
1024 NEW ENGLAND
WINTER PARK, FL 32751
Contact
JOIN THE SOKO MARKETPLACE
The SOKO Marketplace is a creation of The Equity Council Corp. to benefit the Historic African-American neighborhood of Hannibal Square through a process of collective community restoration! The marketplace goal is simple; re-establish an economic opportunity zone that fits its residents' needs, both past and present, displaced by gentrification. Bringing a marketplace into the historic African-American neighborhood of Hannibal Square will allow our community the opportunity to exchange goods and services while building a rapport with the other minority businesses and entrepreneurs throughout the Central Florida area. The word SOKO, which means "market" in Swahili, is not just a word; it's a movement! Thank you in advance for helping our community build a platform to create a community-wide economic resurgence! All marketplace proceeds go 100% to sustain small businesses and to support the development of culturally relevant programming for the historic community of Hannibal Square!! Join us every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and enjoy great vendors, music, and free yoga weekly, right in the heart of the historic district of Hannibal Square! We look forward to seeing you at our market! Thank you in advance for participating in our marketplace and supporting minority-owned businesses!
STEPS TO VEND.
STEP 1 - READ ELIGIBILITY RULES
STEP 2 - APPLICATION FORM
STEP 3 - MAKE PAYMENT
STEP 4 - APPROVAL
Read all SOKO Marketplace Rules to ensure you're eligible to vend!
Submit your SOKO Marketplace vendor application.
Make your SOKO Marketplace payment for the week you prefer.
A SOKO Marketplace manager will reach out to you via email to alert you that you've been approved.
STEP 2
Complete SOKO Vendor Application
NEW PROMOTION ALERT!
"WHAT'S IT WORTH TO YOU?"
TO CELEBRATE 4 YEARS OF OPERATING IN WINTER PARK, FL, AND 4 YEARS OF ASSISTING MANY BUSINESSES OWNED AND OPERATED BY PEOPLE OF COLOR TO GET THEIR FIRST REGULAR VENDING SPOT, WE ARE DOING A SALE CALLED "WHAT'S IT WORTH TO YOU?"
TO EMPHASIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF BUSINESS-TO-BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS, WE ARE ALLOWING VENDORS TO DONATE WHAT THEY THINK THE COMMUNITY SERVICE OF THE SOKO MARKETPLACE, A COMMUNITY INITIATIVE OF THE EQUITY COUNCIL CORP., IS WORTH TO THEM.
BRINGING A MARKETPLACE FOR BUSINESSES OWNED BY PEOPLE OF COLOR TO THE WINTER PARK AREA WAS NO EASY TASK. BELOW YOU WILL FIND 5 FAST FACTS REGARDING THE CREATION OF THE SOKO MARKETPLACE THAT CAN HELP YOU ESTIMATE THE IMPACT OF THE MARKETPLACE TO YOU.
1
THE SOKO MARKETPLACE OPENED AS A MONTHLY MARKET ON JULY 5TH, 2020. THE SOKOMARKETPLACE WAS STARTED IN 2020 AT THE 1619FEST ORLANDO. AFTER THE FESTIVAL, THE VENDORS IN ATTENDANCE REQUESTED THAT A PERMANENT PLACE BE CREATED FOR VENDORS OF COLOR IN WINTER PARK, FL.
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2
IT TOOK 3 YEARS FOR THE SOKO MARKETPLACE TO BECOME A WEEKLY MARKETPLACE. STILL, ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 3RD, 2022, THE SOKO MARKETPLACE BECAME A WEEKLY MARKET OPERATING ON SATURDAYS AROUND THE CORNER FROM THE WINTER PARK FARMERS MARKET.
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3
PROCEEDS FROM THE SOKO MARKETPLACE HELP TO FUND COMMUNITY INITIATIVES SUCH AS THE 1619FEST ORLANDO, MALCOLM X BOOKFEST, AND WINTER PARKS ANNUAL KWANZAA CELEBRATION. AS OF JANUARY 2022, WE TEAMED UP WITH ANOTHER ORGANIZATION CALLED BIRTHRIGHT AFRICA TO SEND YOUTH AGED 13-30 TO THE CONTINENT OF AFRICA FOR A SANKFOA EXPERIENCE. TO DATE, WE HAVE RAISED $6000.00 TOWARDS OR EDUCATIONAL EXCURSION.
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4
BOTH THE EQUITY COUNCIL CORP. AND THE SOKO MARKETPLACE ARE OWNED AND OPERATED BY BLACK WOMEN.
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5
5. TO DATE, AND BY WAY OF THE SOKO MARKETPLACE, WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PUMP ALMOST $20,000.00 INTO THE CULTURAL ARTS COMMUNITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA BY WAY OF OUR FESTIVALS AND MARKETPLACE EVENTS.
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AS YOU CONTINUE ON TO STEP 3 AND SUBMIT YOUR VENDOR FEE, WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR GIVING, AND PLEASE ENJOY YOUR VENDING OPPORTUNITY AT OUR MARKETPLACE DURING THE MONTH OF MARCH.
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STEP 3
PAYMENT AND BOOKING
Make Vendor Payment by selecting your market date!
Book your dates to vend at the SOKO Marketplace!
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35 US dollarsBook your dates to vend at the SOKO Marketplace!
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Book your dates to vend prepared food concessions at the SOKO Marketpl...
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25 US dollarsBook your dates to vend hot food concessions at the SOKO Marketplace!
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45 US dollars
BOOK YOUR MARKET DATE
Dec 11 - Dec 17
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STEP 4
check our special events page, regularly.
DECEMBER 3, 2022
YE OLDE HOMETOWN CHRISTMAS PARADE
SOKO MARKETPLACE SPECIAL EVENT
8:00 am to 1:00 pm
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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9th, 2022
LIGHT UP HANNIBAL SQUARE
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HANNIBAL SQUARE HERITAGE CENTER
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SOKO MARKETPLACE NIGHT MARKET
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5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
DECEMBER 17th, 2022
FREE FAMILY VENDING DAY
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If you are a vendor with a child aged 5 to 15, vending is free with registration.
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Children must accompany you while vending.
DECEMBER 27, 2022
CENTRAL FLORIDA'S KWANZAA CELEBRATION DAY 2 KUJICHAGULIA SELF-DETERMINATION
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WINTER PARK
COMMUNITY CENTER
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SOKO MARKETPLACE NIGHT MARKET
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5:00 pm to 9:00 pm
***VENDOR SIGN-UP ONLY ON EVENTBRITE***
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This market is free if you are accompanied by your child or grandchild...
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