During the Great Depression one of the finest President’s of the Century, Franklin D. Roosevelt, knew that encouraging people to buy American Made meant putting Americans back to work.  

During this difficult time in our economy we need to revisit that Great Spirit and wisdom of FDR and the emphasis he put on buying Hand Made in America. Supporting made in America not only creates new jobs in our country but creates a sense of pride in our community. Buying American-made goods and supporting your local economy whenever possible, keeps money in the country, and in our cities and towns, instead of being sent overseas. It keeps our friends, neighbors and family in their jobs. It helps maintain our high standard of living, which so many of us take for granted.

An excerpt from www.madeinusa.com states “there are 305 million people living in the United States. If each one would shift $20 a month in spending from foreign-made products to American-made products, it would create 5 million new jobs.”

The purpose of this site is to inspire and support each other to continue to buy American handmade goods. It is a reminder that handmade items have a soul and enrich our lives in many ways. It also allows each of us to take control of America’s destiny and do our part in helping our economy.

From the conception of Market Square, sitting around our kitchen table 22 years ago, the emphasis was and is about the artists and craftsmen who painstakingly make their product by hand in the U.S.A.. At that time we had our own pottery business and were exhibiting at shows 15 weekends a year. It was important to us to create a show that not only focused on American-made products but also provided quality customer service that many shows were lacking. American-made and customer service has always been the heart beat of Market Square, the root of what makes our market unique and different from everyone else’s. After 22 years we are still committed to excellence.

After the close of the Fort Washington Expo Center more than three years ago we tried to run both Order Writing and Cash & Carry at the Valley Forge Convention Center. We quickly found the building was too small to promote both shows and provide a shopping environment that was based on our original principals. We knew in order for our exhibitors to be successful, we need to present our market in a buying environment that would allow buyers to see the maximum amount of exhibitors in a schedule that was no longer inconvenient, in a building that could handle both shows running concurrently. That is why we moved the show to the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks. Our only agenda is to bring a Market to Valley Forge that’s emphasis remains on Made in the USA in a shopping environment that is enjoyable to buyers. As a community we can work together to make a difference in this great nation of ours by simply spending more money on American-made goods. It’s inspiring to know I can make a difference.

Kathy Goodrich

http://www.marketsquareshows.com

Buyers have expressed confusion over the changes in the winter market in Valley Forge.  I am going to outline the shows by dates, in recognizable terms, so you can better understand who is who, and what shows are when.

To Review, in 2009 this was the location of markets and their respective promoters:

There were four (4) venues in Valley Forge in January, 2009.  They were inter-related and ran concurrently with each other.

1.     Heritage Market of American Crafts, produced by Barbara Pitt, at Park Ridge Hotel

2.     Heritage American Cash & Carry Market produced by Barbara Pitt, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel

3.    Market Square Winter produced by Goodrich & Company, owner Robert    Goodrich, was held at the Valley Forge Convention Center

4.    Grass Roots and Buyer’s Cash & Carry Markets produced by Market Square, owner Kathy Goodrich, was held at the Valley Forge Convention Center

An additional promoter was in the area in January 2009, to launch the National Country and Craft Show, at the Philadelphia Expo Center, in Oaks, Pennsylvania.  Perhaps some of you went out to the Oaks and visited this first time show.  Urban Exposition has renamed that show for 2010, The Market Place.  Urban Expositions also owns the Philadelphia Gift Show which will be held on January 16-19, 2010.  In addition, Urban Expositions manages the Orlando Gift Show, Boston Gift Show, Las Vegas Souvenir Show and other resort and gift shows. In the past, they have had gift show venues in Columbus, Ohio and Atlanta, Georgia. 

Now that you have the cast of characters………here is the line up for winter 2010.

January 20, 21, 22, 2010

Heritage Market of American Crafts (Order Writing Show)

Park Ridge Hotel, Valley Forge, PA
Produced by Barbara Pitt

January 20, 21, 22,  2010

Heritage Market American Cash & Carry Market

Park Ridge Hotel, Valley Forge, PA

Produced by Barbara Pitt

January 21, 22, 23,  2010

Valley Forge Winter Market (formerly Market Square Winter)

Galley of American Craftsmen

Valley Forge Convention Center (main level, mezzanine, Radisson ballrooms)

Produced by Robert Goodrich

Buyer’s Choice Cash & Carry

Valley Forge Convention Center (lower level Valley Forge Convention Center)

Produced by Robert Goodrich

February 6 and 7, 2010

The Grass Roots and Buyer’s Cash & Carry

Greater Philadelphia Expo Center

Oaks, PA

Produced by Kathy Goodrich, Market Square

February 6-8, 2010

Market Place Order Writing Show (formerly National Country & Craft Show)

Greater Philadelphia Expo Center

Oaks, PA

Produced by Urban Exposition, owner of Philadelphia Gift Show

Now you have the 2010 line up and the date and place of each venue.  I hope it helps in you decision making process. 

Promoters’ Websites:

Heritage Markets Shows: http://www.heritagemarkets.com

Goodrich Promotions: http://www.goodrichpromotions.com

Market Square: http://www.marketsquareshows.com

Urban expositions

 History of the Shows

 

I often wonder if anyone ever scratches their head and wonders how this marketplace started. Well, the traditional wholesale markets, as we know them, are the result of the collective vision of Barbara Pitt and Robert Goodrich, who are brother and sister. In 1978, we held the 2^nd retail country craft show in the United States. Today that show is known as The York Folk Art Show, in York, Pennsylvania. Building on that experience in the retail arena, in 1984, we decided to launch the first wholesale market. Prior to 1984, there wasn’t a wholesale venue for traditional and country exhibitors, except to be represented by market representatives or “reps” at the Atlanta Gift Show.  Goodrich and Pitt’s first show was held at the Aladdin Shrine Complex in Columbus, Ohio.  The second show was held at the old Holiday Inn (now the Crowne Plaza Hotel) in Valley Forge. That was the start of the Valley Forge Markets. Who were the first exhibitors? Michael Bonne Coppersmith, Beaumont Pottery, Making it Country (owned by Sally Queen), The Workshops of David T. Smith, Lt. Moses Willard, Warren Kimble, Michael Camp Furniture, Dixie Rose Bandboxes, Martha Wetherbee Shaker Baskets, Aron Yakim, Claudia Hoff, Ned Foltz Pottery and many, many more. Exhibitors were limited production, but most important, all were traditional American artisans and craftsmen

 

Barbara developed the wholesale venue under her company, The Heritage Markets. Robert, better known as Bob, continued with the retail shows. In 1990, Robert founded Market Square Traditional Wholesale Market held at the Valley Forge Convention Center. In 1991, Barbara originated the cash & carry markets.  The first cash & carry venues were held on the upper tiers of the Aladdin Shrine Complex and the lower level of the Holiday Inn. On-site sales at the wholesale shows!  What an uproar!!  Look at them now.

 

Collectively, Bob & I have 46 years invested in the American wholesale marketplace. Our original vision created the platform for the shows as we know them today. For all the ups and downs, twists and turns in the road, we are still here.  Quite a miracle considering that everyone gave the country market a lifespan of approximately 2-3 years, 5 max,  back in 1978.  Join us in 2010, as we continue to bring you the best of traditional Americana, by American craftsmen, starting with the Valley Forge Markets in January.

 

press_release_350_project_launch

This schedule outlines three promoters:

 Market Square Winter

 Heritage Markets

 Market Square

Q&W created this calendar to assist you figure out your buying schedule and to help you make travel arrangements.

Click on the schedule below for a larger view. Then click the magnifying glass to zoom.  You can print this page, too.  

As shipping costs rise, businesses jump ship.

By SHARON ALFONSI
June 24, 2008

Source: ABC Word News

As the cost of shipping continues to soar along with fuel prices, homegrown manufacturing jobs are making a comeback after decades of decline. The cost of oil and shipping leads some companies to bring jobs back home.

While it once cost $3,000 to ship a container from a city like Shanghai to New York, it now costs $8,000, prompting some businesses to look closer to home for manufacturing needs.

Furniture designer Carol Gregg used to have her signature Chinese chests assembled in China, but such a luxury no longer seems viable, considering that some of her pieces now cost five times more to ship.

So now Gregg is having the chests made in North Carolina, simply because its cheaper. Some large companies like Crown Battery are cutting expenses by moving jobs from Mexico to Ohio. And hair care company Farouk Systems plans to shift all of its production from China to Houston this summer — bringing with it 1,000 jobs.

The rise in transportation costs are fueling what some economists are calling “reverse globalization.” For instance, DESA, a company that makes heaters to keep football players warm, is moving all its production back to Kentucky after years of having them made in China. Top of Form

“Cheap labor in China doesn’t help you when you gotta pay so much to bring the goods over,” says economist Jeff Rubin.

Some local manufacturers have suddenly found themselves in the thick of boom times.

“In December, we had three employees here. We were just getting set up. Now it’s 14,” says Casey Hearn, who owns a furniture manufacturing business in North Carolina.

Other sectors of U.S. manufacturing may see a boost in jobs as well. Rubin says the U.S. steel industry is poised to reap benefits.

“It’s not just about labor costs anymore,” says Rubin. “Distance costs money, and when you have to shift iron ore from Brazil to China and then ship it back to Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh is looking pretty good at 40 bucks an hour.”