Got Craft marketplace brings together B.C.’s creative makers and small shops
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“We are at the confluence of everyone entering and exiting. So it’s quite an energetic area,” says Robert Tucker, who cofounded Got Craft close to 18 years ago with Andrea Tong.
Showcasing local talent
Got Craft is more than a traditional craft fair, says Tucker. It’s a marketplace featuring 32 carefully curated makers and small shops offering clothing, jewelry, food, drink, home goods, bath and body products and more. Every vendor is selected for their dedication to quality and originality, so that each piece on display tells a unique story.
They are not resellers, or business-in-a-box type vendors, says Tong.
When people are chatting to the vendors they’re likely talking to the person who made the items being sold (possibly even the night before), she says.
Got Craft’s beginnings
Tucker and Tong launched Got Craft in 2007. Both have backgrounds in event management and as craft vendors themselves, they launched Got Craft to create an event that resonated with the local creative community.
“We went to a craft fair at a community centre, and we didn’t really fit in as young, 20-year-olds, with the work other vendors were selling,” says Tucker.
This resulted in them making an “eight-and-a-half-by-eleven sheet with pull tabs” (advertising through social media wasn’t a thing yet) and running a small show at the Western Front, off Main Street. Got Craft shows (there are now multiple throughout the year) grew from there. Their biggest annual show is at Christmas time, with over 100 vendors, says Tucker:
“It’s really about getting local makers in front of people,” he says.
Every single vendor at this exhibit lives within driving distance of BC Place, says Tucker.
Curated with care
The Got Craft team is committed to presenting a balanced mix of products. Instead of a “first come, first served” approach, each vendor is selected based on the passion and personal involvement behind their creations, says Tucker.
This thoughtful curation means that visitors can engage directly with the makers, gaining insight into the creative process and the inspiration behind each product.
Makers and creators
“It’s completely safe, all natural and can also be used for your furniture,” says Tucker.
“You can grow your own mushrooms at home, or make mushroom soups,” says Tong. And it’s the vendor’s dad who grows the mushrooms for this product, she says.
For many vendors, Got Craft is more than just a place to sell products — it’s a launch pad for growth, says Tucker. The exposure gained at the marketplace has helped several artisans expand their businesses, secure retail placements, and even gain national recognition. By providing a platform that emphasizes authenticity and personal engagement, Got Craft plays a crucial role in nurturing the local creative ecosystem, he says.
Community, creativity, and connection
Got Craft is dedicated to creating a shopping experience that is both accessible and inclusive. The diverse range of products ensures that every visitor finds something that resonates with them, while the personal stories behind each item remind us of the passion and craftsmanship that go into every piece.
Whether you’re a longtime supporter of local artisans or a curious newcomer keen to discover unique handmade goods, Got Craft offers an experience you won’t forget, says Tucker and Tong.