Shabby Chic Vintage Market to make Manatee debut
Pinellas County residents Sonya Bradley and Andrew Cecere saw a need in the Tampa Bay area and started their own business producing and managing events, festivals and large expos in 2013.
After four years, Simply Events is now putting on more than 35 events a year in Pasco, Hillsborough, Hernando and Pinellas counties, company co-owner Bradley said Monday.
The company will make its first inroads into Manatee County on Aug. 19 with its most popular show, The Shabby Chic Vintage Market & Artisan Day, Bradley announced.
We start by doing research on what other shows are in the area. If there were already four vintage market shows than we would be watering it down. So, we make sure there is a need then start looking for a location to host. In the case of Manatee, we discovered that, yes, there are a lot of festivals but there are not that many pure vintage shopping events.
Sonya Bradley
co-owner, Simply EventsThe Shabby Chic Vintage Market & Artisan Day features about 100 vendors offering everything from boutique clothing to farmhouse tables.
The event features all types of shabby chic items, which are generally items that have been re-purposed in a clever way, including original art, painted furniture, antiques, cottage glam items, pallet art and signs, Bradley said.
The show is scheduled to run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19, at the Bradenton Area Convention Center, 1 Haben Blvd., Palmetto, and both admission and parking are free, Bradley added.
“Andrew and I worked at The Tampa Tribune in outside sales and marketing and decided to start putting on events,” Bradley said, recalling 2013. “At the time there were a lot of areas that were in high development that did not have community events going on.”
“It’s a volume business,” Bradley added of Simply Events. “We are always looking for more locations. We don’t make millions but we always are able to donate some of the proceeds to charities.”
Before coming into an area, Bradley and Cecere check to see if it’s saturated. The pair decided Manatee could use more shabby chic, Bradley said.
“We start by doing research on what other shows are in the area,” Bradley said. “If there were already four vintage market shows, then we would be watering it down. So, we make sure there is a need then start looking for a location to host.
“In the case of Manatee, we discovered that, yes, there are a lot of festivals, but there are not that many pure vintage shopping events,” Bradley added. “It seems they had left that out.”
Shabby Chic Vintage Market & Artisan Day is in five locations twice a year and she expects Bradenton to make that six, Bradley added.
Shabby chic has fans
Simply Events puts on The Beer & Burger Throw Down in Safety Harbor, The Ultimate Summer Home & Garden Show in Plant City, The Pinellas Park Pie Festival, The Wesley Chapel Fall Festival and Back to School Bashes at Westfield Malls in Brandon, Citrus Park, Clearwater and, next year, Sarasota.
But for pure popularity, none outdo The Shabby Chic Vintage Market & Artisan Day, Bradley said.
“Shabby Chic is one of our best shows,” Bradley said. “It has a large following. It has been labeled one of Tampa Bay’s best shopping events.”
Although admission is free, attendees can pay to take two workshops at the event, Bradley said.
“Create a Shabby Chic Mason Jar Candle Holder” is at 10:30 a.m. and “Create a Decorative Terra Cotta Pot” is at 2:30 p.m.
There is a free painting demonstration at 1 p.m., Bradley said.
Information: Call 727-674-1464, email simplyeventsfl@yahoo.com or visit simplyeventsfl.com.
Richard Dymond: 941-745-7072, @RichardDymond
This story was originally published August 7, 2017 at 2:58 PM with the headline "Shabby Chic Vintage Market to make Manatee debut."