Updated 12/21/24 (Added tent, pet, season ticket, and insurance policies, and clarified the AI policy.)
Vendor Eligibility:
Ghost Ship Market events are tailored for small and micro businesses that create and/or curate items within the goth and goth-adjacent aesthetics. The atmosphere is similar to “punk rock flea markets,” with a focus on a goth vibe. The definition of “goth” is broad and encompasses various subgenres such as pastel goth, steampunk, punk, horror, dark academia, and more. Additionally, general goods complementing the goth aesthetic, such as plant vendors, food vendors, or cutting board makers, are welcome!
Vendors must offer high-quality products, highlighted by quality photography, as well as well-maintained websites and social media. Additionally, vendors must have at least 100 followers on at least one of their social media channels for in-person shows.
For online shows, vendors must have a minimum of 500 followers or subscribers* on their main social media platform, maintain a regular posting schedule on their primary social media channel of at least one post a week, and have a fully functioning retail website at the time of application. The retail website can be an Etsy, Big Cartel, or Shopify account (or similar) if the vendor does not have a standalone website. A social media account will only be considered as a retail website if the vendor routinely posts items for sale for an average of at least 3 times a week.
*For vendors submitting Facebook as their main social media platform, they must have both over 500 likes and followers.
licensing and legal requirements
All vendors are solely responsible for researching, obtaining, and implementing all legally required permits, licenses, insurance, and safety measures for their businesses at the state, local, and federal levels. Ghost Ship Market does not provide permitting services, secretarial services, or legal advice for any businesses. You can use a search engine to locate the relevant agencies’ webpages and consult with either an agency staff member or a licensed attorney if you feel you need advice.
Ghost Ship Market notifies ALL vendors participating in in-person shows that they are legally required to show a state-level sales tax permit for the relevant state upon demand. Ghost Ship Market cannot act as a state tax agent, and does not have the legal standing to waive vendors’ legal requirements, and respectfully requests that vendors do not attempt to involve them in their legal issues. The link for Massachusetts is here: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/register-your-business-with-masstaxconnect. This is different from the federal FEIN, which is sometimes not required. All vendors are encouraged to leave several weeks lead time to obtain these permits, if they do not already have them.
Ghost Ship Market notifies ALL vendors participating in in-person shows that they should carry their own liability insurance – vendors should NOT assume they are covered by Ghost Ship Market’s event liability insurance.
Ghost Ship Market also requires the following for certain types of vendors:
For in-person shows where food may be sold, food vendors must obtain their own food permits and include Ghost Ship Market as a named party on their liability insurance policy of at least $100,000. The vendor MUST submit proof of a licensed food production facility upon application, or they will not be considered for participation. Insurance documentation must be provided at least 30 days before the start of the show, or the vendor risks losing their spot without a refund. This applies to both in-person and online shows.
Fortune tellers must obtain their own permits for in-person locations that require special permits. This is a common requirement in Massachusetts towns, and the process for obtaining a permit varies from place to place. Ghost Ship Market will provide any necessary documentation that they are able to provide to support a vendor in their application process.
Entertainers, when booked, must carry their own liability insurance. Vendors who wish to incorporate an act into the event are also required to carry their own liability insurance, and can only do so with prior approval of Ghost Ship Market, even if the act is only in their booth.
All Sales Final:
Starting in 2025, vendors will be self-selecting their own spaces. Booths may not be re-assigned by vendors, sold, or traded with other vendors.
All sales are considered final, except in cases of proven illness. Vendors who wish to request a refund, or credit for a future show, must provide proof or documentation of their illness in order to be considered. Any images or non-doctor’s note forms of proof will be checked for manipulation as a matter of policy.
All applicants shall agree that the decision of whether an illness is proven or not will be made by Ghost Ship Market.
Show dates are non-transferrable. Show spaces are only available to the vendor who was accepted for that show, and missed dates can no longer be moved to a later one. Please keep in mind that Ghost Ship Market is not a bank, and going forward, will not act like one. It is not feasible for you to “deposit” funds in one show, and then “spend” them on a different show. There are costs associated with each show that must be paid regardless of if any particular vendor shows up or not. There is no guarantee that a dropped-out vendor can be replaced by a paying vendor before the show starts.
In case a show is cancelled due to extreme or unsafe weather, directions from local authorities, catastrophic events, or serious illness affecting key individuals involved in running the show, vendors will be given the option of receiving a credit to use for a future show date or in certain cases, a refund ⸺ please note that a refund is only available if insurance covers the affected event. In the event that insurance denies the claim, vendors will only be able to take a credit for a future show.
In the event that a vendor is eligible for a refund for a date they purchased with a season ticket or pass, the refund will be prorated, calculated as follows: (Cost of their season pass) ÷ (number of dates in season pass) = (total amount of money per date).
Banned Goods and businesses:
The following types of businesses and goods are not eligible for acceptance to Ghost Ship Market shows:
Businesses with more than one physical storefront are not permitted, nor those with widespread distribution of their products if they sell wholesale. For example, if you’re in chain stores, you’re not eligible.
Businesses that have nothing to do with the broad spectrum of goth and goth-friendly subcultures will not be accepted.
As specified on a show-by-show basis, prepackaged food vendors or food tent/truck vendors may apply. Please consult the application form for the show(s) in question.
Businesses based on finished low-effort and low-skill crafts, such as paint pours, “custom stamped” jewelry, finished craft kits, use of craft store pendants, and the like, are not considered high-quality goods suitable for Ghost Ship Market shows.
Businesses that use cultural appropriation, including white sage, henna, or Native American designs, without being part of that cultural group.
Businesses that use “loss leader” pricing models for their entire or most of their range. The goal of this show is to support small businesses, and people who have the economic privilege to treat their business like a hobby or who sell things for a cheap mass-produced price while they get some street cred, are harming those who need to make a living off their business. This absolutely includes people “just selling things for what they cost.”
Businesses that block, restrict, shadowban, or ban Ghost Ship Market social media accounts or staff members on their business pages. This includes blocking direct messages, and blocking the ability to be tagged in posts.
Businesses that sell fire hazards, including candles with non-wax inclusions such as herbs, glitter, and crystals on top.
Businesses that stock the following: jewelry with sharp points, water bottles with direct crystal contact, items that are toxic in everyday/typical use, etc.
Human remains, in any form, are not allowed. Hair, teeth, and blood are not considered human remains.
Disrespectful animal taxidermy is not allowed. Animal taxidermy that respects the dignity of the animal is, however, permitted. Additionally, no taxidermy bats are allowed whatsoever.
Items from endangered animals, plants, and banned animal components are not allowed, including elephant ivory (even as vintage), taxidermized extinct animals, white sage, and feathers in violation of the Migratory Bird Act.
For live plant vendors and florists, invasive species (including mugwort) may not be sold as live plants, cuttings, or seeds. Dried, non-viable invasive plants are permitted.
Live animals are not permitted for sale.
No weapons are allowed at any Ghost Ship Market shows. (Please note that cutlery and tools are permitted for sale). In Massachusetts, folding knives must have a blade shorter than 3 inches. Also, spiked wrist, arm, knee, and foot accessories are considered weapons in Massachusetts, and cannot be sold at Ghost Ship Market shows in the state.
Items that promote, encourage, or signal comfort with hate speech are banned.
Items that are advertised as having pharmacological benefit without FDA clearance.
Controlled substances, including CBD.
AI art, and other derivative art forms. This includes AI art used in craft supplies, such as fabric patterns or clip art. Additionally, vendors may NOT use AI images to create promotional posts that name Ghost Ship Market.
Non-vintage items, such as recent craft store décor or newer retro clothing falsely presented as vintage. For the purpose of these shows, all vintage items must be at least 15 years old/Y2K era. Non-vintage thrift items must be clearly labeled as “used.”
Ghost Ship Market does not allow knock-offs or reproductions of other businesses’ goods, including fake merchandise of copyrighted materials. This includes unlicensed Harry Potter, Star Wars, and Disney items, as well as counterfeit band tees, bags, or sneakers, regardless of whether they are “upcycled” or not. Additionally, we do not allow unlicensed celebrity images, new mass-produced costume jewelry from overseas factories, costume jewelry made entirely from craft store components (specifically, the premade pendant on a bit of premade strandage thing, not beadwork or elevated designs with premade parts), or non-original enamel pins (as in, there is no reason to think you designed the pins). These items are almost always knock-offs of existing designs. Please note that fan art is permitted, but Ghost Ship Market reserves the right to ask vendors to remove items if the IP owner is known to be hostile to fan works.
MLMs (except as a vintage item, such as vintage Avon collectibles).
Non-relevant enterprises, such as vinyl siding, solar panels, or window replacement.
Political campaigns by candidates.
Booth Rules:
Starting in 2025, vendors will be given the option to purchase a spot of their choice upon acceptance. Booth spaces cannot be reassigned or swapped once purchased. Vendors also may not share booths without prior approval of Ghost Ship Market.
Entertainment, such as fortunetelling, physical demonstrations, or an entertaining act, may only take place at a vendor’s booth with prior approval from Ghost Ship Market.
For outdoor shows, booth sizes are 10’x10′ or smaller. Tents and umbrellas can therefore be 10’x10′ or smaller. Tent tops, fly shades, side walls, and table umbrellas may only be white, black, or neutral gray. Tent legs MUST be vertical, not angled. Additionally, no tent stakes are allowed, and all tie-down cords should be vertical, not angled out of the vendor’s space. All tents and umbrellas must be weighed down with AT LEAST 40 lbs of weight in a proper sandbag-style tent weight, which is then tied or secured to the tent or umbrella itself. Improvised weights such as gallons of water or free weights are dangerous, are not allowed, and will result in the vendor being told to break down and store their tent or umbrella.
Vendors are required to keep their area neat and tidy to prevent any trip hazards.
Vendors are not allowed to attach anything to venue walls or lean anything against them.
Venue furniture and fixtures should not be used for booth displays or for storing personal items, unless specifically instructed by Ghost Ship Market staff.
Please carry or use a rolling cart to move items, and avoid dragging anything across venue floors.
All vertical “wall” displays and banner frames should be weighted down at the bottom for stability.
Vendors are responsible for ensuring that all their displays are stable and secure during normal use.
Open flames, burning incense, and pyrotechnic displays are not permitted.
Scent-throwing items, such as electric wax melters, general use of sprayers, or oil diffusers, require prior approval from Ghost Ship Market and a check for potential allergies among staff and vendors.
The use of mist or fog machines requires prior approval, and vendors must provide signage for all entry points to alert patrons of their use.
Strobe lights are not allowed.
Generators are not allowed; only battery packs are permitted.
“Barking” by vendors is not allowed at Ghost Ship Market events.
Please do not play music or visual media out loud. If you wish to play recordings, create a listening or viewing station with headphones for preview purposes. This rule is in effect even if there is no music playing.
Personal items, storage boxes, tools, and trash should be kept out of sight and not placed on venue furniture or outside the vendor’s area.
Vendors are responsible for removing all trash, merchandise, and personal items by the end of the load-out period. Failure to comply may result in the removal of a vendor from or denial of acceptance to future shows.
Vendors must display their business name clearly in their booth.
Set up must be completed before the start of the show, and vendors may not break down until the show is over, unless given special permission by Ghost Ship Market Staff.
Vendors are allowed a maximum of two guests, helpers, or staff members in attendance with them at a show, for a total of three people per business. They must also observe age of entry rules for each specific location. Vendors may not invite a large number of “guests” in an attempt to circumvent these rules.
Floor-length tablecloths are required at all in-person shows.
No pets are allowed at indoor Ghost Ship Market shows. Pets at outdoor shows must be kept in a leash or a carrier, be well-behaved and socialized, and any messes they produce must be cleaned up immediately.
Vendors who bring their children with them are advised that other vendors and show staff are not there to babysit for them. Additionally, children may not be disruptive or allowed to roam the market unsupervised.
Vendors and their helpers must not be nude, even at age-restricted shows. Thongs and pasties as outerwear are also not allowed. At a minimum, vendors should wear opaque clothing that fully covers their buttocks, genitals, and female-presenting nipples.
Code of Conduct:
Vendors may not engage in the sale of any illegal goods.
Vendors are required to share any information that could impact the smooth running of an event before it begins. This includes any special accommodation needs, such as avoiding allergens or steps, as well as any protective orders they have against someone ⸺ or that are held against them. Vendors must also communicate if they will be unable to set up before the event starts or if there are any unlisted situations that could reasonably affect the event. Vendors who fail to disclose information that could jeopardize the safety of others at the event, such as a restraining order involving them, will not be invited back.
Vendors are expected to act respectfully and professionally towards other vendors, customers, and showrunners. Any conflicts should be resolved calmly and reasonably. Vendors and their associates are strictly prohibited from doxxing or harassing customers and other vendors, as well as venue or show staff. If a vendor believes that another vendor’s booth setup is negatively impacting them, Ghost Ship Market staff will address the issue. In the event of a serious incident, emergency services should be contacted.
Vendors may not present themselves as staff of Ghost Ship Market, nor may they act as if they are staff of Ghost Ship Market. Vendors may not change the settings of any online page where they have publishing permissions, tell other vendors if they may participate, nor may they unilaterally determine who is allowed to purchase items or attend Ghost Ship Market shows.
Vendors may not speak poorly about other vendors or their products to any customer while vending at the show. This includes “vaguebooking,” and using other vendors’ products for negative comparisons or an “attack ad.”
Vendors may not block access to other vendors’ booths, either with their setup, or the position of themselves and/or their helpers, nor may they block off all view of any other vendors.
Hate speech, coded hate symbols, and “dog whistles” are not allowed in any public social media used by any vendor.
Bullying of venue employees, customers, other vendors, or show staff is not allowed, even on other platforms, events, or venues not used by Ghost Ship Market.
Sexual harassment will not be tolerated. Sexual activity involving vendors and helpers is not permitted during shows, even with consent. (Non-sexual affection is – obviously – permitted)
In the event of an all-ages show: vendors shall dress reasonably modestly, and all items including nudity (including “artistic” nudity) or graphic depictions of violence shall be covered or kept “behind the counter” for adult-only viewing.
Please note that all vendors are expected to comply with individual social media company policies while using their platforms, as rule-breaking could negatively impact all the other vendors participating in an event.
Vendors who do a “no call/no show” will not be invited back.
Vendors who do not post that they are participating in Ghost Ship Market shows at all may not be invited back, at Ghost Ship Market’s discretion.
Behavior that may negatively impact upon Ghost Ship Market is cause for removal from any and all events, with no refund. This includes, but is not limited to, past activities violating the code of conduct that may come to light, criminal activity, or behaving in a way that jeopardizes Ghost Ship Market’s ability to reserve or return to a location, or purchase promotions for events.
Emergency policy:
In the unlikely event a vendor needs to leave a show early for any reason, or their behavior warrants immediate removal from a show, they will be directed to cover their booth, and leave the venue until the end of the show. Vendors will only be allowed to break down early if they know they will not be able to return for the scheduled breakdown. Otherwise, they will be allowed to re-enter at the end of the show or emergency and either remove their items, or resume operations at that time. In the event of an emergency that would prevent the vendor from returning before breakdown ends, Ghost Ship Market will attempt to discuss the situation with the vendor and make whatever arrangements that are reasonably possible.
In the event that emergency or police services need to be called at a show, all vendors agree to cooperate fully with all direction from emergency personnel.