Shop Small & Love Local At Our Valentine's Pop Up Market

This Valentine’s weekend, shop small, support local, and have a lovely time at our Can’t Buy Me Love Pop Up Market. The Market at Fifth Avenue and Asbury Park Bazaar handpicked twenty local vendors offering unique gifts and artisan goods ideal for lovers and friends to exchange. We caught up with a few of our vendors to chat Valentine’s Day traditions and the importance of shopping small. Get to know a bit more about their giftable goods and favorite love stories, then take your Valentine by the hand and join us in Convention Hall on Saturday, February 13th, from noon-five!

Artist Jenn Shauger of Derwood Paint Co. draws inspiration from nature and wildlife across the North America. Using her signature one shot enamel paint on wood, she creates delicate ink drawings and bold paintings. At our pop up market she’ll be selling her latest floral paintings that make a great gift for your special someone. “One shot is glossy enamel paint used by sign painters for years, my grandpa who was a sign painter back in the day used it."

“Shopping small means supporting people who create and sell unique products you really can’t find anywhere else,” she said.

As for Jenn’s favorite Valentine’s Day tradition? “I’m really happy with pretty flowers and a hand written note.” Favorite love story? “Oh boy, there’s quite a few, but to name a couple, “Splendor in the Grass” starring Natalie Wood and Warren Beaty. It’s a sad one, but ultimately a great love story that always makes me cry! Also, not sure if this would be considered a love story, but “My Girl,” it is a classic story of young love in a way, again, it makes me ball my eyes out every time!”

Salted Gems is about creating handmade sterling silver jewelry and sharing adventures along the way. Owner Dot Bugbee will be selling the Land & Sea Collection of jewelry and accessories created with .925 sterling silver, authentic gemstones, shells & fun trinkets on Feb 13th.

“Shopping small means the world to us; we are a small growing company and there is a lot of corporate competition especially in the jewelry market. We depend on these pop up shows, markets & curated events because it helps us gain exposure & allows us to get to know our buyers & show people what Salted Gems is all about."

Dot’s best Valentine’s day ever was spent surfing, eating Thai food and chocolate. Her most unforgettable V-Day gift was a custom, hand shaped surfboard created by her partner.

Jo and Amanda of Faye + Renee are offering hand tied bouquets and floral arrangements for those seeking a local take on a timeless Valentine’s gift. “We love creating specialty arrangements and we encourage pre-ordering so we can create something custom for your sweetheart!”

“It’s important to us to support one another and help each other grow. We love being a part of such a creative community of makers and small businesses.”

Best Valentine’s Day ever? “Four years ago we threw a “Galentines” party to celebrate friendship! We had such a great time, the night was full of champagne, flowers and all the glitter you could possibly want!”

Nicholas Silverman of Diego’s Chocolate will be selling handmade, Mayan chocolate sourced from cocoa trees in Guatemala. Every piece comes wrapped in a hand-colored label. They will also have custom-made pine wood gift boxes that hold 6 chocolates each, offering a perfect alternative to the industrial chocolate gift sets we are used to seeing for Valentine’s Day.

“For me, shopping small means spending money wisely and thoughtfully. If I need a product or service, I’d much rather pay an independent producer because I prefer that money go to an individual (or small business) rather than some huge corporation, even if it means paying a little more. By doing so locally, when possible, I know that I’m stimulating the local economy as the person from whom I buy will most likely spend their earnings at nearby businesses as well.”

His favorite Valentine’s memory? “Eating delicious Indian food and seeing Sonic Youth with my wife in a beautiful old theater, all in the midst of a blizzard and within walking distance of our home at the time in Northampton, MA.”

So if you’re stumped for a great way to spend time with your Valentine, look no further than our Valentine’s Pop Up Market. It’ll be romantic yet casual, it aligns with your shop small values as well as your creative heart. You can take a photo with Pop Shop Photobooth, taste oysters and champagne at Asbury Oyster Bar, all while enjoying live music from Little Rose and Dentist.

In addition, stop by Rosie's Pup Up Shop for homemade dog toys & treats made with love from safe materials and ingredients. All proceeds from sales are donated to The Magic Bullet Fund, a non-profit organization that provides funds for families in need to offset the cost of expensive cancer treatment for dogs. Rosie is one of the dogs this organization is helping.