People shop at Dawg Fest: Draba’s vintage market at 440 Foundry St. on March 23. Honest Jewelers owner Savannah Bradford, a vendor at the market, talked about her beliefs and how they have helped shape her business model. “I got a job at (a) jewelry store, and I was flabbergasted by the dishonesty in the industry. (It’s) not designed for the benefit of the consumer. (The industry will) lie to you and tell you anything you want to hear to make as much money as they can,” Bradford said. “My customers come before my profit. You are more valuable than a gemstone ever could be, and you deserve to be treated well.” Photo by Wyatt Meyer
Dawg Fest: Draba’s vintage market was held on March 23 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. at 440 Foundry St., providing a unique and exciting shopping experience.
On a warm spring day, Dawg Fest: Draba’s vintage market provided a variety of thrifted clothing for attendees to find the perfect spring outfits. Draba’s vintage market only comes to Athens a couple times a year, so locals – and out-of-towners – piled into the market to visit.
Various shoppers pick articles of clothing out of a $10 clothing pile at the Dawg Fest: Draba’s Vintage Market on March 23. Photo by Wyatt Meyer
The market had over 40 vendors from different local businesses and provided many different clothing options to choose from, with piles of $5 and $15 items spread amongst other clothing sections dedicated to jeans, t-shirts, crewnecks and more. The event offered local businesses the opportunity to bond with other people from inside and outside of Athens through finding vintage clothing and each other’s company.
Honest Jewelers owner Savannah Bradford, a vendor at the market, has opened a booth at the event once before and found it to be a positive experience.
“The first time I came to Athens was two and a half years ago, and it was the most positive market I’ve been a part of,” Bradford said. “The customers (are) always super sweet and outstanding and very pleasant to talk to. The vendor community is fantastic, and it’s just overall one of the most positive markets that I do.”
The variety of college and high school students attending the event also benefits the vendors to have face-to-face interactions and form relationships with their customers.
“Selling online, I don’t get to talk to customers and make that personal connection, and that’s my absolute favorite part of selling. With markets, I get to have that person-to-person interaction,” Bradford said. “Market sales are significantly better than (online) sales, because there is that personal connection that plays such a massive part.”
Throngs of people shop at Dawg Fest: Draba’s Vintage Market, held at the Classic Center Pavilion, on March 23. Photo by Wyatt Meyer
With music playing and the convalescence of communities coming together to shop during a hot day, the event seemed to herald the beginning of spring in Athens. Ross Dawson, a shopper at the market, found the activity as a fun way to find unique clothing and accessories while also involving himself in the Athens community.
“I like how you go into (the market) with no expectations, and you could walk out with anything,” Dawson said. “It’s helpful to develop styles for individual places, like cities. I think it really helps elevate everything (in general).”
