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On Sunday, the wind gusted suddenly and the tent heaved against its leg weights like a giant sail. The products hanging from the tent frame whipped out of their careful placement. The shirts flapped out of shape and the books threatened to fly off the table. If it isn't raining or sweltering, then wind is a constant irritation for the outdoor vendor. For years I have dreamed of a stable space to sell from, combing through online photos of the cutest vendor trucks and vans. The 1970s Dodge van with a wide side door, decorated cargo trucks with custom open sides. A young woman, the happy inhabitant.
This Spring, one more debilitating gust of wind had me hanging on to the tent frame while my carefully arranged products whipped around. I decided that I should be able to have a vehicle for my shop. So back to my folders I went, to my saved images of the best vendor trucks. Down to Washington, DC I went, to look at t-shirt vendors on the mall. I had nice conversations with vendors from many places. A week later I was test driving the best rated cargo vans and zero'd in on the Ford Transit Connect. After spending more than I had planned, I now have my own cheerful compact van in the driveway, becoming more a Yellow Dot van every day, as I lovingly clean and customize it. At the markets, I still have largely the same set up, except that the tent is anchored around the van's back doors, which cuts off wind from that direction. The open side door displays the books which are undisturbed. Next up, with my remaining budget, I am designing colors and signage for the van sides and back. I don't have a solution yet, so you will have to wait to see it.
Ellen Hamilton,
Chief Creative,
Yellow Dot Shop
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