Currently accepting vendor applications

We are excited to announce that we’re currently accepting vendor applications. If you aren’t familiar with Merchant Works, it’s located in Monmouth just next to the Western Oregon University campus and 20 minutes west of Salem. We house several artisans and vendors, including Brooks & Terry’s Espresso, and specializes in carrying locally produced (and often handmade) items. Products include:
-Housewares
-Art and home decor
-Jewelry
-Candy, oils and vinegars, honey, jams and jellies, pasta, wine and other food items
-Scarves, bags and other accessories -Music by local artists

Who shops at Merchant Works?
Our guests prefer goods that are higher-end or appeal to the college aged market.

What are we looking for?
We will consider all applications, but accepted artisans will fall in to areas we seek to grow. Some examples of this include jewelry, candles, lotions, garden art or outdoor furnishings. If you are unsure if your goods will work best within Merchant Works, do not hesitate to contact us.

Merchant Works is also looking for someone who wants to operate a food cart business in the parking lot or plaza. Being located next to a university, there is a good potential for foot traffic.

How does it work?
Most vendors pay a monthly rent for a specified space (the space and price are determined once an application is approved), but some consignment items may be considered. Merchant Works supplies the staffing to process sales and will handle the point of purchase.

How do I apply?
Email merchantworks@minetfiber.com and include the following:
-Photos of a handful of items, or a link to a website with photos
-Sample price points
-How/where you are already selling your goods (Etsy, craft fairs, other vendor locations, etc)
-What ways are you marketing (business website, Facebook page, blog, etc)

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to email us!

Holiday Sip & Shop

The Holiday Tree Lighting is one of Monmouth’s biggest events each year and this year it has been expanded to a weekend full of events, including the Holiday Sip & Shop, which we’re pleased to be a part of. In the holiday spirit and hoping to collect donations for PCL, we will have some hot cider, delicious wine, and scrumptious dips from 3 to 6 p.m. on Friday (Dec. 3) and 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday (Dec. 4). The Holiday Tree Lighting at Western Oregon University starts at 6 p.m., so stop in and grab a drink and a bite before heading over to the festivities. We’ll be open both days from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

While you’re here, check out some of our new holiday items that will make your home and dinner table extra festive for the season. Throughout December, we are offering a free dishtowel with any $10 purchase. Just mention you saw the offer on our blog. With the holiday dinners that inevitably happen this season, who couldn’t use an extra dishtowel? Especially a good quality one.

If you haven’t stopped in here before, now is a great time to have an adventure. Merchant Works has a wonderful collection of goods. For the food on your shopping list, check out the honey and jellies in a variety of flavors, Viridian wine, pastas, vinegars, and zesty chutneys. Bring your Christmas shopping list because there is a gift to fit any style or budget. Merchant Works houses local artisans and vendors with art, ceramics, imported goods, books, Christmas cards, drinkware, fashion accessories and handmade jewelry to please anyone on your gift list at any budget. Or pick up a CD from local musicians, sure to be a great stocking stuffer.

Happy holidays from Merchant Works! We hope to see you this weekend at the Holiday Sip & Shop.

Autumn Patterns

It’s not to early to plan for the fall. We have all the warm autumn tones you would need to set your dinning area up for the upcoming months. We have new patterns and cooker wear as well as warm candles, platters, and linens.

Tigress Books

Tigress Books is moving to Monmouth!

We just found out after speaking with the owner JoAnne and her recent publicity in the article from the Statesman Journal Tigress Books to move to Monmouth. We are excited to be sharing this new journey with her and her wonderful selection of books. JoAnne has been slowly evolving. Once known as the Tea Party Book Shop at 420 Ferry St. SE, JoAnne and her books will be gracing Monmouth with the new name change! We welcome Tigress Books with open arms! We expect to host some of her merchandise here at Merchant Works this late September or early October. Keep your eyes open for this new vendor!

Aloha Jellies at Merchant Works

Here is a simple recipe using one of our NEW Aloha Jellies from Aloha from Oregon

TANGERINE FRENCH TOAST

1-8oz pkg. cream cheese (room temp.)
1/2 cup Aloha From Oregon tangerine marmalade
1 Tbsp Aloha From Oregon crystallized ginger chopped (optional)
12 slices French or Italian bread
4 eggs
1 cup milk or half -&- half
1/2 tsp. vanilla

Instructions:
Mix together first 3 ingredients. Spread tangerine mix on 6 slices of bread. Mix eggs, milk or half and half, and vanilla. Dip slices into the mix and let soak on both sides. Heat slices on griddle to medium and brown on each side slowly. Dust with powdered sugar and sliced almonds. Serve with maple syrup or berries.

Thanks for trying this recipe out. Come on in and receive several other recipes for making a wonderful dish using the Aloha From Oregon jellies. Flavors include Pear Butter, Plum-Ginger, Blueberry Rhubarb, Sweet Onion, and more!

New Dresses

Cute Summer dresses for those little girls in your lives. Sizes come in 1-6 and are only $16 from Rocksalt Imports

Pink, Red, and Yellow!

It is the season for luncheons on the patio, fine wine and cheese with friends, lemonade and refreshing colors. Why not try our new white ware and scrumptious kitchen towels the next time you plan a backyard bonanza this Summer.

$4 Towels
$34  Table Cloth
$8-$12 Jars
$8 Bowls
$5 High Ball Glasses

New Face!

We are excited to share with you the newest development here at Merchant Works. It wasn’t enough to  have the coffee flowing, tasty treats, free WI-FI, and a unique local shopping experience. We have to share with you our wonderful new attraction.

After a painstakingly long week of hard labor and special thanks to the Olsens, Mike, Jim, and volunteers.

We bring to you the Plaza!

Vendor of the Week

Eli Sheldon

Eli has been expressing his creative talent in pottery for four years now. He uses several unique styles of firing to create inspiring works of art. The beautiful part of it, You can eat off of them!

The newest style we have in store are the wood fired pieces. He puts these pieces through a tremendous process that takes six days from beginning to end for each piece. During firing, the kiln or firing furnace has to be tended to and stoked for 48 hours every 8 to 10 minutes. After this long journey and a kiln at 24000 degrees, Eli waits one week allowing the kiln to cool. This is by far his favorite process. Each piece tells a story about the journey it went on in the firing process. Some pieces reveal spectacular crystallization, drips, ash movement, and iridescence.

All of the functional pottery is just that, functional. They can be handled, washed, eaten off of, microwaved, and are dish washer safe.

“I believe we were made by a creative God and are, therefore, wired with a similar desire to create” -E. Sheldon

Summer Saturday Wine Tasting and Art Sale

Come join us for wine tasting and art viewing today.  It’s a beautiful day to come by and see what’s new at Merchant Works.  We have  colorful table settings, cheese knives, and linens.  All you need to create a festive table for Sunday brunch on the patio.

Need a last minute gift?  Pickup some decadent chocolate covered cherries, blueberries, or butterscotch hazelnuts and a bottle of wine to take to a friend.

We have new summer hours Tuesday thru Saturday 10am to 6pm.