The Groove Market's outdoor vendors

Feel like getting groovy? Then The Groove Market at Riverlights might be your answer. Sarah and Abby Moody started The Groove Market in November 2020, and despite the pandemic, saw promising turnouts.  Now, the sisters are embarking on their next chapter and moving forward to grow their market.

“We love our markets and bringing people together,” said Abby Moody, who along with her sister Sarah brought a similar venture, Triangle Pop-Up, to the Raleigh area.

The duo both love Wilmington and felt there was a place in town for more markets that offered locally made products.

“We like creating successful events. It’s really great to see people come out and buy things that make them happy,” Moody said.

She added that it is also great to see local artisans having a venue to sell their merchandise.

“It’s a labor of love that goes into these products because much of it is handmade or created by the vendor who is selling it,” she said. An important mission of The Groove Market is to support small and local businesses, Moody said.

“We love small businesses, and we hope to be able to promote them through our market,” she said. Artisans, craftspeople and makers of all sorts that have been a part of The Groove Market so far have brought locally crafted treasures such as handmade soaps, candles and jewelry. Moody said a local vendor selling dog and cat bandanas also participates as well as wood-carved makers.

The lineup of vendors is diverse, according to Moody, and live music will be on-site. The Groove Market’s next event is Aug. 20 at Riverlights from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. More than 30 vendors will be on site and the Frothy Sloth Coffee Hut and Coastal Craft Creamery Ice Cream will serve up drinks and treats. 

The Groove Market also sets up at Waterman’s Brewing Co., 1610 Pavilion Place in Wilmington.

“We want to support small business," Moody said. "There are so many local businesses that start here and then move to a storefront of their own. We want to support their dreams as well as our own.”

Find out more about The Groove Market on its Facebook page.