Crowdfunding campaign for Clipper City Market surges past $12K goal

Four Baltimore Venture for America fellows are bringing a new market concept to town.
A monthlong crowdfunding campaign for Clipper City Market surpassed its $12,000 initial goal over the weekend.
One-part farmers market, one-part demonstration venue, Clipper City will bring in chefs from the Baltimore area and beyond to show off dishes from local restaurants and vendors, said VfA fellow Clara Gustafson.
“People can learn about cooking and sustainable models for small business,” Gustafson said.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8W6BLJvImQ]
Gustafson says the four fellows — who also include Adam Rhoades-Brown, Moss Amer and Peter DiPrinzio — have already received positive feedback from a handful of local businesses, including Mobtown Meat Snacks, Le Garage and Dooby’s.
The market is a spiritual cousin to Chelsea Market in New York City and Union Market in Washington, D.C., Gustafson said, though neither of those bring the demo angle to it.
“Clipper City Market is an interactive food event,” the team writes on its RocketHub page. “We’re bringing together Baltimore’s most creative chefs and food purveyors for a pop-up market with a full lineup of culinary workshops and demos.”
The inaugural Clipper City Market will be held October 24 and 25 at one of three TBD locations. All three prospective locations are easily accessible via light rail and Charm City Circulator, Gustafson said.
The fellows’ campaign is part of a contest with teams of fellows across the country. The most successful crowdfunding campaign will be awarded an additional $10,000, Gustafson said.
Other projects in the VfA competition include an online platform to connect small businesses and a power strip controlled by a web app.