Porter Flea

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Nope, not Christmas. It’s PORTER FLEA SUMMER MARKET!

oh just dandy, rabbit stuffy, toddler backpack, nashville, handmade, maker — Oh Just Dandy

stuffed animal, toddler backpack, nashville, handmade, maker — Oh Just Dandy

toddler backpack, nashville, handmade, maker — Oh Just Dandy

Porter Flea was launched in 2011. Katie Alexander and her husband Matt Alexander have been hosting two markets every year since – summer and holiday – that highlight handmade and modern goods. There is definitely a focus on Nashville area makers which is great – I can support local businesses (that I can frequent with repeat business when it’s not Flea time!) but also support the handmade maker movement with vendors from other states, too!

peg dolls, wood toys, nashville, handmade, maker — Honey & Hen

You can do a quick Google search and see that Porter Flea has earned buckets of praise – and rightfully so. I attended my first Flea as a vendor – where I provided mini whoopie pies during Preview Night – summer of 2013 and I’ve been a customer ever since. It’s something I can recommend to tourists and to local friends without hesitation.

paint by number, metal jewelry, enamel pin, maker, handmade, nashville — Paint the Town by Number, Simon & Ruby, Hondo Supply Co.

paint by number, ruth bader ginsburg, maker, handmade, nashville — Paint the Town by Number

earrings, necklace, bracelet, brass jewelry, maker, handmade, nashville — Simon & Ruby

boston terrier, enamel pin, maker, handmade, nashville — Hondo Supply Co.

Here’s my Porfer Flea MO (PFMO if you will):

· Go on Preview Night. Less crowds. $25 ticket fee gets you free parking, two free Jackalope drinks, a tote bag provided and designed by Courtney at Hey Rooster (and printed by Friendly Arctic), and did I mention LESS CROWDS? (What can I say. I socialize like a granny.)

· Get to Preview Night by 6 pm so you can maximize all three hours of browsing + shopping + socializing time. You’ll use it all!

· Grab something to eat to fuel the next few hours you’ll be spending on your feet. I highly recommend Funk Seoul food truck’s Korean and Japanese fusion (sushi burrito!) with a side of Bubble Love bubble tea. Have a Caity Pie or two on Friday and bring some home – you’ll wake up Saturday wishing you had saved one for breakfast (I might be speaking from personal experience here).

hand pie, food, apple pie, pie — Caity Pies : apple pie

hand pie, pie, chocolate — Caity Pies : chocolate stout pie

· And if you can’t make it to Preview Night? Go anyways – on Saturday. The crowds + possible lines are worth it. I promise. It’s free on Saturday to enter the market (but $5 cash to park). You can also spring for a Porter Pass which is a reservation to skip the line on Saturday and gives you in-and-out access all day long!