Check in before unloading

Check in on the brick plaza in front of the Peabody Essex Museum entrance on Essex Street. Look for the museum on the left in the reference image below. Randyll Collum will be on site every morning. Keep the museum doors and visitor access clear.

Booth assignments are given out each morning at check-in. Check in before unloading and use only the space assigned by staff. A previous day’s location is not a reserved booth for the next day.

For morning load-in, come in via Essex Street and pull onto the Pedestrian Mall with staff clearance. Pull to the right so other vehicles can pass. Unload where staff direct you; keep other vendors’ spaces, storefront entrances, ramps and pedestrian routes clear. If the loading area is full, follow staff directions.

Check in, unload, park, set up

Load-in opens at 7 AM. All vehicles must be clear by 9:30 AM. Be ready to sell at the 10 AM public opening.

1. Check in and receive today’s booth assignment. Wait for staff clearance before using the loading area.
2. Unload only where staff direct you, and pull your vehicle to the right so others can pass. Keep neighboring vendor spaces, storefront entrances and pedestrian access clear. Use a sturdy cart or dolly to move inventory and equipment to your space.
3. Move your vehicle to legal parking promptly, and no later than 9:30 AM. Keep the unloading area available for the next vendor.
4. Return on foot and finish setting up. Be ready to sell at the posted public opening time.

Running late?

Late arrivals load in from New Liberty Street. Let us know as soon as you can: text 978-224-8856 with Pedestrian Mall, your booth/business name and estimated arrival time. Staff will direct you to an unloading spot; use your cart or dolly to wheel items to your assigned space. Do not drive onto the Pedestrian Mall after the 9:30 AM vehicles-clear deadline.

Pack before you travel

Bring a sturdy cart or dolly that can handle your inventory and equipment. Plan for the trip between the staff-directed unloading spot and your booth, multiple trips if needed, and a full pack-out every night.

Bring at least 50 lb of weight per tent leg, charged payment equipment, battery lighting, weather protection, layers, water and food. Plan legal parking and allow time to walk back.

No stakes or generators. No event-provided Wi-Fi. General artisan booths have no guaranteed power; plan to operate without it unless a supply has been specifically confirmed for your booth.

For access assistance, contact the team before your market day.

Parking & vendor resources

Move out of the unloading area after unloading. Follow posted parking restrictions and check current parking options and City October transportation updates. Plan your walk back: the City will not provide October weekend shuttle service in 2026.

Use Vendor 411 for parking/app links and promotional graphics. Share only your confirmed dates and venue, and retain the artwork credit shown there.

Public hours, closing and programming

Regular Saturdays: 10 AM–8 PM. Sundays: 10 AM–6 PM. Makeup Fridays (October 2, 9, 16 and 23): 10 AM–7 PM. Attend only your confirmed dates. See the special-date notes below before planning your day.

Pedestrian Mall closing time is set day-of with the City of Salem and Salem Police based on crowd volume, so this location may stay open later than posted. Staff will tell you the plan for that evening.

Programming details will appear in the weekly update when ready, including times, locations and any effect on access. Share changes with your helpers.

Keep app notifications enabled. Check vendor email before traveling and follow on-site staff directions during the day.

Stay through closing; wait for vehicle clearance

We understand that things come up, and we really appreciate everyone staying until the market closes. Leaving early affects neighboring vendors and the experience for everyone visiting. If you need to leave early, contact the team before packing.

Staff will explain the load-out process each night and tell you when breakdown, load-out and vehicle access can begin. Load-out uses the New Liberty Street area because the Pedestrian Mall and Essex Street will be closed to vehicles. These decisions follow City and police direction. Work together and wait for staff to call vehicles forward in turn.

Keep storefronts, walkways and your neighbors clear

Stay within your assigned footprint. Keep storefront doors, ramps, accessible paths and emergency access open. Do not spread displays, stock, carts or customer lines into neighboring vendor or performer spaces. Ask staff for help if a crowd or delivery affects your booth.

Keep walkways and neighboring booths clear, keep valuables secure, and contact staff if a problem develops. Booths must remain attended. No smoking or incense at booths. Take your vendor waste with you.

Weather and schedule changes: Delays and closures are very rare. If a change is needed before arrival, we will notify you by email. Once you are on site, staff will inform you directly. Check your vendor email before traveling and follow staff instructions at the market.

Restrooms, breaks & accessibility

Pedestrian Mall vendors should use the Salem Armory Regional Visitor Center restrooms at 2 New Liberty Street or the nearby portable toilets. Accessible restrooms are available at the Visitor Center, and the portable-toilet area includes an accessible unit. For current hours and locations, use the Destination Salem restroom locator or app. Ask staff for directions or help finding an accessible option.

Need a short restroom break? Text 978-224-8856 with your venue, booth name and request. Staff can provide brief booth sitting where and when needed. Wait until coverage is arranged before leaving.

Booth sitting is for short breaks, not extended coverage. Contact the team before market day if you need access assistance.

Contact the Marketplace team

Randyll Collum will be on site every morning. For help throughout the day, text the Marketplace team or speak with staff on duty. Text is the best way to reach us while staff move around the venue. John has the final say on market decisions.

Text the team: 978-224-8856. Include Pedestrian Mall, your booth/business name and request. Add your booth number if assigned and market date when relevant.

For an emergency, call 911. For non-emergency police assistance, call Salem Police: 978-744-1212. Do not wait for a reply from the vendor chat in an emergency.

Before market day or for booking questions: john@creativecollectivema.com.

New this year: load out at New Liberty Street

Evening load-out uses the New Liberty Street area. The Pedestrian Mall and Essex Street will be closed to vehicles. Use your cart or dolly to wheel your equipment and merchandise from your booth to the staff-directed loading spot at New Liberty Street.

This is a new process, and we need everyone to work together. Please be patient, take turns and do not bring all the cars up at once. Staff will coordinate access so vendors can load and leave without blocking one another.

Staff will explain that evening’s plan. Following City and police direction, they will tell you when to begin breakdown, when to move your items out and when to retrieve your vehicle. Closing time alone is not permission to start any of those steps.

1. Wait for staff to release breakdown, then pack your booth. Have your merchandise and equipment ready before retrieving your vehicle.
2. Wheel items to the New Liberty Street loading spot when staff direct you. Keep pedestrian routes, storefront doors and other vendors’ spaces clear.
3. Retrieve and bring your vehicle forward only when staff tell you to. Take turns; do not rush the loading area or bring all vehicles up together.
4. Pull to the right in the staff-directed loading spot so others can pass. Keep neighboring spaces and access clear, load promptly and leave room for the next vendor.

Keep the route clear and follow the evening plan

Use New Liberty Street for load-out; do not try to drive back through the closed Pedestrian Mall or Essex Street. Follow that evening’s staff directions for the exact loading spot and vehicle sequence.

Check the latest weekly instructions before your market day. If you missed the evening briefing or are unsure what to do next, ask staff before moving your equipment or vehicle.

Keep ramps, storefront entrances, pedestrian routes and neighboring vendor spaces clear. Do not claim a loading spot simply because there is a gap. Check your booth area and take all vendor waste with you.

Everything goes home every night

Full breakdown every night. Take your tent, tables, displays, merchandise and equipment home, even if you are booked here again tomorrow.

This includes consecutive days. There is no overnight tent or equipment storage at the Pedestrian Mall.

Allow time and vehicle space for the full setup and breakdown each day. Check in again tomorrow for that day’s booth assignment.

Before your next market day

Return to Vendor 411 and read the next dated update. Recheck your venue, hours, loading instructions and programming, keep app notifications enabled, and check in again for that morning’s booth assignment.

Thanks for helping us take care of the Pedestrian Mall and one another. We look forward to seeing you at check-in!
John and the Creative Collective team