24 replies to this topic

[Rich_T]

RIP TNM. Thanks for the memories!

All the Sutter St. revitalization in the world will not matter one bit, if Folsom residents don't go there. So let's hope that other events fare better, and don't go the way of TNM.

[Thinkingoutloud]

Curious what you were trying to sell? I'm going to guess it wasn't food related.

You are right, not food. Just fun, frivilous wine related stuff. But I meet tons of onther vendors in the same boat. No one sold much.

[Steve Heard]

I'm not surprised.
I was a vendor at TNM last year. The teens didn't bother me. If was the fact that I didn't sell one thing. Not one! And I paid $35/night to be there (4 night minumum). So I lost money by being there. And I wasn't the only one. The only person that made money was the frosting ladies.
Once word got around that no one buys anything at the TNM, the organizer was having trouble getting vendors in. If you want your local vendors/shops to stay in business people, you have to patronize them.

The teens didn't bother me either. Yes, there were plenty of them, and many did in fact behave as teens, but from what I observed and from a couple of cops that I talked to, they didn't do much other than the occasional fight or loud swearing. Overall, a pretty tame crowd.

As for sales, I feel for the folks that spend the time and money to go out there only to find that no one is interested in what they are selling. Is the problem what they are selling or is it that no one is buying?

It seems like the jewelry folks and food vendors were selling and I saw some other booths attracting visitors.

I wonder if the lack of consistency and theme on the organizing side might have something to do with it.

Over the past few years the different managers and/or the merchants association has changed the location of the entertainment. Sometimes it was at the bottom of Sutter, a couple of times by the Chamber of Commerce building, in front of Snook's, Hacienda parking lot, and in front of Powerhouse Pub. I think Powerhouse or Hacienda are the best locations, as not many people wanted to walk down the hill to the Chamber and the bottom of Sutter was a dead zone.

They changed the type of entertainment. The string quartet had 6 people watching, the kids' dance group seemed to have only their parents watching. Like it or not, dance and cover bands playing familiar hits seem to be what gets people to show up, and holds their attention.

The vendor mix was also an issue. I think people want arts and crafts type stuff, jewelry and clothing, not church groups, chiropractors and satellite dish companies.

And what about the food? Sometimes there were food booths, sometimes not. People like to get food they can walk with or sit on the curb to enjoy. Having restaurant specials is good, but expecting everyone who wants to eat to leave the street and go to a restaurant doesn't work.

Many towns have successful similar events, and I'm sure they draw their share of teens, but they keep bringing out the crowds and the vendors seem to thrive. What are they doing that we aren't?

Perhaps visiting another town's successful event and copying that formula might work.

[Ahnold]

Sutter Street is approaching over-saturation, event-wise. It seems like every weekend from May through September there is a street fair or event down there, whether its a marathon, bike race, second saturday, etc etc. TNM used to be about the only thing to draw people there but now it can't compete. It didn't help that half the stores were closed so there was hardly anything to do beside bar-hop and eat some meat on a stick or whatever the vendors were peddling.

I think Second Saturday has become the new TNM.

[Darth Lefty]

I dunno, I can see it both ways. If most of the people there are teenagers, why would you expect to sell knicknacks and wine paraphenalia? They want energy drinks and cell phone cases.

[That Guy]

I got the impression that TNM was really a boon to the Sutter Street merchants, either, and in fact probably hurt them. Last year we set up a booth to promote and sell raffle tickets for the Wild About the Zoo event and it was a dud, not necessarily with reagrd to selling tickets, but just people stopping by to chat and such. So many folks just kind of look, walk by and that's it.

[Steve Heard]

I got the impression that TNM was really a boon to the Sutter Street merchants, either, and in fact probably hurt them. Last year we set up a booth to promote and sell raffle tickets for the Wild About the Zoo event and it was a dud, not necessarily with reagrd to selling tickets, but just people stopping by to chat and such. So many folks just kind of look, walk by and that's it.

With many of the merchants closed during TNM, I can't see it hurting them too much.

Chicago Fire, Samuel Horne's, Snook's, and American Visions Art Gallery all seemed to be doing well the last time I went to the market.

As for the raffle tickets, that pretty much makes my point about the merchant selection. I think people go for arts and crafts type things and food, not raffle tickets.

I don't know what kind of booth you had, but perhaps having an animal or two, or a guy dressed up in a bear suit would have drawn more interest.

[tgianco]

I think Second Saturday has become the new TNM.

I went to 2nd Saturday twice this summer, and it was AWESOME each time. There was a different theme each time (sidewalk chalk art in May was really cool), and then a great young (like teenage) country band in the parking lot of Powerhouase Pub in July. There was just a really cool vibe both times, and money was being spent in the stores (I know we did, especially with a cocktail in me). The Italian margaritas at American Visions Gallery were awesome, and they are working on a great Last Supper piece of art with the SF Giants (as a life-long Giant fan, looked like a must-have).

TNM held no attraction for our family anymore. It was just "blah."

[4thgenFolsomite]

I went to 2nd Saturday twice this summer, and it was AWESOME each time. There was a different theme each time (sidewalk chalk art in May was really cool), and then a great young (like teenage) country band in the parking lot of Powerhouase Pub in July. There was just a really cool vibe both times, and money was being spent in the stores (I know we did, especially with a cocktail in me). The Italian margaritas at American Visions Gallery were awesome, and they are working on a great Last Supper piece of art with the SF Giants (as a life-long Giant fan, looked like a must-have).

TNM held no attraction for our family anymore. It was just "blah."

Bingo. I think this captures the issue perfectly. Also, Second Saturday doesn't require closing the street. Closing the street costs money (to set up and man the traffic barracades, put up no parking postings, etc. The feeling was also that a weekly event was just too much. once a month seems about right. Second Saturday is seasonal as well though, so no Second Saturdays during the winter months.

[SacKen]

...
I think Second Saturday has become the new TNM.

Agreed! I think the people involved with TNM should get involved with Second Saturday and grow it to be a blend of the two. Maybe even expand it to be every other weekend, if there is enough interest to do so. To me, having things like that on a work night will naturally attract kids on summer break more than working folk. Add in working folk that also have young children that can't easily be kept out too late without it affecting the next morning, and you further restrict your audience.