Got questions? Planning to apply? This FAQ is a companion document to the full vendor contract and provides all the information vendors will need in order to decide to apply.
It is important that you read this document in full, as it is the basis for the legal, binding contract that you will be required to adhere to if you apply and are accepted.
When do your markets take place?
The market schedule for 2025 is as follows:
NOTE – REVISED VENDOR CALL DATES
February 8th – My Bloody Valentine Market – Vendor Call is closed.
April 12th – Gothic Garden Market – Vendor Call: January 28th – February 11th
June 21st – Goth Pride Market – Vendor Call: April 1st – April 15th
August 16th – Goth Beach Party Market – Vendor Call: June 10th – June 24th
October 18th – Hallowmas Market – Vendor Call: August 6th – Aug 19th
December 13th – Holiday Market – Vendor Call: October 7th – October 21st
Where does this market take place?
Ground Control Toronto, 1279 Queen Street West, Toronto
The nearest major intersection is Queen West and Dufferin; the 501 Queen streetcar stops less than a block away in both directions (Queen West at Brock), and the closest parking is a block west in the Green P lot at 1325 Queen Street West.
Ground Control is fully accessible, has wifi available, and has an ATM on site.
Is there admission?
This event is free to the public.
What size are the tables and how much are they? Can I bring my own?
Note — in order to better accommodate customer traffic flow and create more room for vendors behind some tables, we have re-mapped our market layout. This means that some spaces, sizes, and prices will have changed for 2025.
Tables supplied by the venue vary in shape, size and material, and range from 2ft – 2.5ft deep. Prices for tables are based on the linear foot, regardless of depth, as we can’t always control which tables end up where.
- 2ft table (regular height, supplied by venue) — $40
- 2ft table (bar height, supplied by venue) — $40
- front DJ booth, 4ft by 1.5ft (bar height, supplied by venue) — $45
- 2.5ft round table (bar height, supplied by venue) — $45
- 3.5ft round table (regular height, supplied by venue) — $95
- 4ft table (either two 2ft standard height tables pushed together, OR two 2ft bar height tables pushed together, OR half of a shared 8ft table, supplied by venue) — $80
- whole 8ft table (supplied by venue) — $160 (suitable for large items only)
- BYO 6ft table (supplied by vendor) — $120
- along the bar — 10ft x 2ft stretch of bar, seating is a bar stool at the end of the bar (supplied by venue) — $175
- front of the stage — 14ft x 2.5ft area on the floor along the front of the stage, suitable for a vendor with a table and a clothing rack (vendor supplies furniture) — $200
- half the stage (up two steps – approx 100 sq feet, vendor supplies furniture) — $200
Seating will be either chairs or bench/banquette seating, depending on the table location. Each vendor is entitled to ONE seat per registration; seating for additional people at your table will be available only after all vendors are set up.
Due to the very large number of applications we receive for each market, and to enable us to include as many vendors as possible, a whole 8ft table will only be offered to vendors with large or bulky items. All other applicants are advised to either up-size or down-size their planned display to fit into one of the other size categories.
Can I pick my spot?
Sorry, no. Because we are a curated market, we are often juggling and re-arranging the floor plan right up until event day. We need the flexibility of being able to arrange vendors in a way that best accommodates everyone, and allowing vendors to request specific spots makes that incredibly difficult.
Additionally, while we do everything in our power to accommodate disabilities or allergies of participating vendors, due to the architectural features of our venue we are sometimes restricted in our ability to offer spots that are appropriate to individual needs. While we do our best to honour requests for accommodation of health/disability issues, we also have to ensure the safety of all vendors and guests, and sometimes these things are in conflict with each other.
Vendors with noise sensitivity should be aware that music levels are always set so that conversations can be had easily, even right beside any speakers, and that we consult with any vendors situated near the speakers to adjust the volume to their preference at the beginning of each event.
Vendors who require accommodation for health-related issues should indicate their needs in the notes field of the application. We absolutely cannot consider requests related to inter-personal issues; all participants are expected to be professional in their dealings with other vendors.
Also; we regret that we cannot discuss accommodation requests with any potential vendor until/unless they have been selected to take part. Please do not email/DM us on this issue, but indicate your needs in the application.
Can I share a table?
No, sorry. Each vendor must apply individually. Vendors who are accepted may not add anybody else’s work to their table. Your acceptance is based on your products only.
Can I have someone come to help me?
Vendors may have another person help run their table/booth, or to relieve them for breaks, and they may have additional people to help with load in or out, but the space behind/beside the tables is limited, so keeping the number of people working at your space to a minimum is appreciated. To avoid over-crowding, vendors with 2ft tables (either height) seated along the banquettes in the front lounge may have only one person seated at their table at any time.
You may not have visitors (friends/relatives/guests, anyone not actually working at your table) in the area behind your table, as this space is reserved for vendors. And again, we ask that you keep the number of people working at your table to the necessary minimum.
What can I sell?
This is a curated market and will be open to vendors whose wares may appeal to folks of a dark or alternative nature.
For artisan applications, our selection process will prioritize handmade items. We will also consider artists selling works of their own art manufactured by a third party (for instance, authors selling books or graphic novels; bands with music media and related promotional items such as t-shirts; or functional art where the artist’s work is printed onto items such as clothing and accessories, housewares, etc.). Vendors should have an active part in the creation process of the items they will be selling.
Food and Drink
Vendors wishing to sell food or drink, or any product that is ingested, in any form, must provide copies of the following documents to TDAM organizers prior to acceptance AND bring documents with them on event day in case of a health inspection:
– a current Food Handler’s Certification accepted by the public health department where the business is based
– proof of liability insurance
– documentation (either an inspection certificate or a receipt for a kitchen rental) showing that their food was prepared in an inspected and certified kitchen
Only food that is prepared in advance, safe and stable at room temperature, and appropriately packaged will be considered acceptable for sale.
Cosmetics and Body Care Items
Vendors of cosmetics and body care products must provide proof of liability insurance — which will require that their products have been registered with Health Canada. We recommend working with the Handcrafted Bath & Body Guild to obtain appropriate insurance if you do not currently carry any. Due to the fragrance sensitivities of some staff and vendors, preference will be given to producers of unscented products wherever possible.
What can I NOT sell?
We will not knowingly book any vendor selling any of the following, and vendors who bring any of the following items will be asked to remove them from their display. Considerations will be made for works of parody or satire; if you are unsure, contact us.
– any item prohibited by law; this includes but is not limited to guns, weapons, and drugs.
– live animals of any kind. All specimens/oddities/taxidermy must be ethically sourced.
– any item or artwork featuring images, characters, or logos that you do not hold the copyright or trademark for. This includes fan art (ie. art in your own style inspired by licensed or fictional characters), or directly copied images of another artist’s work.
– any item that may be considered racist, religious, anti-religious, defamatory towards any individual, group, or organization, or that veers into the realm of cultural appropriation.
– any product or service that purports to cleanse, cure, heal, or provide guidance for any type of medical, emotional, spiritual, or societal ailment or concern, even if a disclaimer is included.
– new, manufactured items from importers, resellers, or multi-level marketing companies
Do I need vendor’s insurance?
Vendors selling food/drink and vendors selling body care/cosmetic products are required to carry liability insurance for this event in case your product causes a customer to become ill or have an allergic reaction.
All other vendors are advised, but not required, to carry insurance.
Insurance protects you not just from liability issues but covers situations such as loss, damage or injury to, or caused by, you or your product. All vendors accepted into a TDAM market will be required to sign and adhere to a contract which outlines liability for all situations you may encounter while vending with us.
Single day rates for vendor insurance usually start at around $15 from places like Duuo.
I’m vending at a different market around the same time, can I still apply to vend with you?
Yes, but… By submitting an application you are indicating your intention to accept a spot if it is offered. Vendors who apply and are accepted to a TDAM event and then ghost us, or who back out in order to take part in another event on the same day, will not be considered for any future TDAM events.
Does your event include live performers or other entertainment? What about tattoo artists or tarot card readers? Can I take part in this way?
We do not include live performers, DJs, or other entertainment. We also do not book tattoo or piercing artists, nail art technicians, or consultative businesses such as tarot readers or psychics.
What can I bring to display my merchandise?
Vendors are responsible for all table coverings, displays, and lighting for their table/booth. Keep in mind this is a nightclub with black walls and minimal overhead lighting or electrical outlets — you will absolutely need to bring your own battery-powered lighting.
Vendors must keep all of their display and merchandise on the table (or underneath for storage). You may not bring any additional shelves, racks, banner stands, or displays that do not fit on top of your table. Please note that the 2ft tables have a central cast-iron base, making underneath storage limited. The spots along the bar have limited storage at the ends of the bar.
Only vendors located in the “front of stage” or “half stage” spots may bring additional furniture or floor displays such as racks.
To help prevent theft and for overall security, vendors should ensure that they are not hidden behind a display that blocks their view, and that they can see, and be seen by, customers.
How can I take payments?
Vendors must bring their own cash float or devices on which to process debit or credit sales. Event organizers and venue staff will not be able to make change or process sales on a vendor’s behalf. There is wifi in the venue, and an ATM on site.
How are you promoting the event?
TDAM has a comprehensive promotion campaign that includes flyers, extensive event listings, press releases to local media, paid advertising, social media listings, and other promotions such as featured vendors, and day-of promotional activities to draw customers to our event.
Promotion is also done at our venue on an ongoing basis through flyers, posters, and via social media to the venue’s 30K+ followers.
We do not do street postering because we attract a very niche demographic and do not find it to be cost-effective. As well, the local by-laws mean that every illegally-placed poster (basically anything not on an official City of Toronto noticeboard) can result in a $250 fine. Yes, per poster.
All vendors accepted to a TDAM market will be expected to help promote the event to their own customers and social media followers.
How busy is it?
We aim for a minimum of 500 people through the door. However, circumstances such as weather, traffic/road work (because Toronto), and other events taking place on the same day can all affect the turn-out. We make no guarantee as to total attendance.
Previous markets have averaged between 500 and 800 people, and are typically in the 600 – 700 person range.
How many vendors are there in total?
We book a minimum of 35 vendors but there may be up to 40 at any given event, depending on the sizes of tables required. For most categories of items, excepting art and jewellery, we will probably not book more than one or two vendors with similar wares. In categories with multiple vendors, we try to ensure as diverse an array of merchandise as possible.
How do I pay for my table?
Upon acceptance, vendors will receive an acceptance letter and contract. Payment can be made via eTransfer or PayPal. Vendors will have four days from the date of their contract/acceptance to make the payment in full, or the spot will be offered to the next person on the waiting list. We regret that we are unable to offer payment extensions to any vendor.
What is your cancellation policy?
Once you have been accepted and paid for your space, there is absolutely no refund, for any reason. In the event of an illness or emergency, you may send someone to run your table, with your merchandise, in your place.
If the event is cancelled by Toronto Dark Arts Market or Ground Control, a full refund will be issued. We are not responsible for other expenses incurred by you in the process of preparing for the market.
Cooties
By taking part in Toronto Dark Arts Market, you voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure of any viral respiratory illnesses such as the common cold, the flu, COVID-19, or similar.
We will not enforce a mask mandate of any kind, however, we encourage all TDAM and venue staff, participating vendors, and guests to:
– not attend the market, even wearing a mask, if you are showing signs of any kind of viral respiratory illness
– wash hands regularly
– wear a high quality, properly fitted (KN95) mask to protect yourself if you have concerns about your own health
– remain up to date on vaccinations for both the flu and the most recent COVID-19 strain
Got any tips on how to make my application more appealing?
We are sorry that we cannot offer every person who applies a spot at our event. We typically have 35 – 40 spots available, but get more than 100 applications per market.
Some tips to make your application stand out:
– Make sure everything on your application is accurate and spelled correctly. If stuff is incorrect (or your email bounces — yes, this happens!), we won’t go crawling the internet to find you.
– Make sure your socials/website/shop pages are up to date, and show current work that reflects what you’d be bringing. Bonus points if we can see that you use your socials to help promote events you take part in.
– Consider downsizing — due to the architectural features of our venue, we have more small tables/spots than we do large ones. Visit a market beforehand if you can, to see what we’re working with.
– Do one thing and do it well. Vendors with many different items in multiple categories are less likely to score a spot than someone presenting work with a clear, consistent theme and vision.
– Meet the brief — while we have no desire to gatekeep what is or is not “Goth,” we are an alternative-oriented market and will always go for stuff that is dark, spooky or weird over products that are cute, twee, or mainstream.
– Original art only. If the work you show us includes trademarked or copyrighted images, characters, logos, etc., even if it is considered “fan art” in your own style, we will not book you.
Still have questions? Drop us a line via our Contact page.
The vendor call for our My Bloody Valentine Market on February 8th is closed, with an extensive waiting list. Please do not contact us requesting to be added.
The next vendor call, for our Gothic Garden Market on April 12th, runs from January 28th to February 11th.
Join our Vendor Mailing List for info about upcoming markets and vendor calls.