The beloved St. Petersburg market, known for promoting underrepresented vendors, will return to Tropicana Field following a near five-month absence due to storm damage.

Renee Edwards-Perry, who founded the Saturday Shoppes, told the St. Pete Catalyst that she plans to bring back the lively market to the stadium’s expansive parking lots in March. The initiative was displaced after Hurricane Milton severely impacted the Trop in October 2024.

The Saturday Shoppes, which supports over 100 vendors, operates three to four times a month, providing essential income and visibility. Edwards-Perry is excited about the upcoming “Pets Day Out” event scheduled for March 22, anticipating a significant turnout.

“I’m so grateful,” Edwards-Perry expressed. “Because when you’re scouting other locations, nothing matches the Trop in terms of size, capacity, and amenities.”

The market first started at Bethel Community Baptist Church in April 2021, aiming to foster inclusivity, and it rapidly grew out of the church’s space. Thanks to City Councilmember Deborah Figgs-Sanders’ advocacy, Tampa Bay Rays president Brian Auld provided the Trop’s parking lots free of charge starting in June 2021. These lots offer additional facilities like portable restrooms, hand-washing stations, and security.

Since the hurricane, the Saturday Shoppes temporarily moved to Pinellas Technical College in November and December but lacked a central downtown location since September 2024.

Edwards-Perry highlighted the economic impact, stating, “In the three years we’ve been there, we’ve generated over a million dollars in economic impact to our community.” She appreciates Auld’s support in getting vendors back to work.

The market will resume in the tree-lined Lot 1, accessible from 16th and 17th Streets South, with the first 2025 event partnering with St. Pete PAWS to promote pet-friendly environments.

The return to the Trop signifies the commitment of Auld and Mayor Ken Welch to local entrepreneurship, resonating with the mayor’s focus on economic impact. Edwards-Perry emphasized, “And it shows how they’re dedicated to small business and economic impact, which is one of the mayor’s pillars.”

Despite the challenges, Edwards-Perry is optimistic, aiming to make the return events memorable, starting with a seafood festival on March 29. She views these markets not just as temporary setups but as stepping stones for vendors to grow their businesses, citing examples like Mark Ferguson of Ferg’s Sports Bar and Grill who has leveraged the market’s food trucks.

She also sees the events as a way to uplift community morale, especially with the Trop still bearing marks of the hurricane. Edwards-Perry encourages community support, suggesting 1,000 attendees each spend $20 to significantly help the vendors.

Acknowledging the support from the Rays and Suncoast Credit Union for alleviating financial pressures, Edwards-Perry is eager to re-establish the market’s presence at the Trop and continue fostering local entrepreneurship.

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(Image credit: Saturday Shoppes)