VENDOR FAQ'S

Print and complete the Vendor Application and send it to:  info@tricityemporium.com , or you can download the completed application on our contact page, along with any photos of your merchandise and past or present booths. Application can be found at the bottom of the page or the information bars in the top left corner.

We do not require a long term lease or a security deposit.  Space is leased month to month. We do require 30 days notice when vacating.

There are three standard size booths:  

12' x 6', 10' x 6', and 8' x 6'.  If available, booths can be increased in length.  Pricing is based on square footage and location:  Prime (front locations and corner/end space)- $3.95 sq. ft. Perimeter - $3.85 sq. ft.  Interior - $3.75 sq. ft. Back walls will be in place for all spaces and not exceed 8' high. 

Side walls  will not exceed 8' high and 4' wide.  This will maintain a cohesive site line for customers. 

Electricity is available in some booths at no additional charge as long as timers are used. The Vendor agreement covers space guidelines in more detail.

Rent is due the first of every month.  Rent is deducted from your monthly sales, and the balance is paid directly to you within 5 business days.  You will be required to keep a valid credit card on file to cover rent that is not covered by monthly sales.

Our commission rate is 10%.  This covers administrative cost, supplies, computer access to Simple Consign as well as a host of other perks.  Vendors are provided office work space, access to computers and a  lounge area separate from the sales floor. We offer a janitor room with items to assist with the care and maintenance of your booth. We have a great outdoor area to host pop up events. We will offer opportunities for on line sales and auctions. A designated area will be set aside for mailing items sold on line.  Advertising will be a priority!  As is hosting events to bring in customers and get our name and location out to the public! 

Tri City Emporium LLC carries insurance for the business. However, the vendor's merchandise/belongings are not covered.  It is recommended each vendor check with their insurance company with regards to personal coverage.

Yes. Vendors will need to provide a copy of their lease agreement to the City of Portsmouth Commissioner of Revenue's office to obtain their business license.  We require an updated copy to be kept on file with the office.  Portsmouth Commissioner of Revenue, 801 Crawford Street, Portsmouth. Office # 757-393-8866.  If expected sales are less than $100,000, there is a minimum fee of $50.  **Vendors will not receive tax information from Tri City Emporium. Each vendor is responsible for reporting their own income.  Tri City Emporium takes care of paying the business licenses, taxes and sales taxes.

Tri City Emporium will provide at least one day a week for vendor's to work on their spaces. These days will be closed for business and only open for vendors.   Days and times will be posted in advance.  You will also have access to your space during normal business hours. A vendor agreement with more details will be provided.  It is important  and recommended to refresh and restock your space weekly!

We are proud to have partnered with Simple Sign/Simple Pay. This program is very user friendly and detailed.  Vendors will have access to real time reports.  Each vendor will be assigned a sign in and given access to monitor and maintain their inventory, sales and reports.  Simple Consign also offers continuous training for managers, cashiers and vendors!

Tri City Emporium will offer locked glass cases and display cases for rent.  The checkout area will consist of glass cases and displays to offer immediate assistance to customers and provide a more secured option.  We also have three rooms adjacent to the sales floor for rent.  These rooms are approx. 12' x 11' and are secured.  They would be perfect for the vendor wishing to secure their collections and manage their space at their own convenience (during normal business hours). We have invested in a state of the art security system to monitor activity inside and outside the premises.

Our goal is to offer a variety of merchandise for customers. However we cannot promise there will not be vendors selling items similar to other vendors. We keep the placement of vendors in mind with their merchandise as well as when bringing in new vendors.  Diversity is key to everyone's success. Our vendor space is in one area with excellent visibility for customers.  A secure changing room is available for vendors selling clothing. Vendors can run sales and offer discounts. Make sure your item is clearly marked and notify staff.  When a vendor signs their lease they can advise a percentage they will allow staff to offer if the customer asks for a discount.  Sometimes bigger isn't always better, we currently offer around 110 spaces, depending on booth sizes. We have plans for our other warehouse (not more vendors) that will only enhance and add to the success of each vendor! We encourage each vendor to advertise their business on all social platforms along with Tri City Emporium. Hang your business signs and make your business cards available.  Each aisle will be named and every booth numbered, so you can add your "address" to cards and advertising! Another nice feature of Simple Consign, we can enter your business name and it will give the customer you booth location.  If a customer is looking for a specific type of item we can enter the description in Simple Consign and it will list each vendor that may have it.  So the more detail you add about your item, the better!  We want everyone to be successful and are happy when  vendors have more than one location.  Expansion is a true sign of success!  And as much as we all love our fur babies, unless they are a certified and documented service animal, our insurance will not allow us to allow animals in the store...:(

Hours:   

Monday & Tuesday - Closed

Wednesday thru Saturday - 10:00 am until 6:00 pm

Sunday - 11:00 am until 4:00 pm

We are located:  805 Gust Lane

                               Portsmouth VA 23701

                               757-673-8100

We are located off of Victory Blvd on I264, one mile from the new and exciting Rivers Casino, restaurants and soon to be beautiful hotel.  We are thrilled to be a part of the revitalization of this corridor bringing thousands of people from all over.  Our central location puts us minutes from Chesapeake, Norfolk, Suffolk, Virginia Beach and the Peninsula!