In a world dominated by big-box retailers and next-day shipping, Shop Local Queen City advocates for a different shopping experience. It promotes one that’s less about consumerism and profit margins. Instead, it’s more about supporting small businesses, highlighting local talent, and creating intentional, community-centered experiences that bring people together.
What began as a series of pop-up events in 2017 has since evolved into a dynamic blend of in-person local markets in Charlotte NC and online commerce. Katie Greder Murray is the founder and CEO of Shop Local Queen City. Over the past eight years, she has built relationships with Charlotte-area purveyors of all manner of goods. She’s now able to draw on those relationships to curate vendor lineups. The effect is markets that are balanced and tailored to Shop Local Queen City’s typical customer. Each market is a little different from those that preceded it. However, all reflect the diversity and creativity of Charlotte’s maker scene, from Ballantyne to Birkdale.
Makers Meet Marketplace
“Charlotte has so much talent. Even still, without local markets in Charlotte NC, many of these incredible creatives would go undiscovered,” says Murray. For vendors, participation comes with more than foot traffic. Each market includes high-quality photo and video content, helping small businesses boost visibility far beyond the event itself. For guests, every market is designed to delight, from interactive photo stations sponsored by The Sisters.Co, to tote bag giveaways, to the simple delight of a crisp fall morning spent strolling among vendor tents, optimistic about discovering this year’s best holiday gift, cappuccino cup in hand.
Ultimately, though, these markets drive more than vendor visibility and the local economy. The true cornerstone of this Shop Local Queen City is community. “It’s what transforms a market from just a shopping event into something much bigger,” explains Murray. “We see it every time vendors reunite. They hug each other, catch up, and even help each other set up tents before the crowds arrive. We see it in the friend groups who make our markets their weekend plans, choosing to spend their time together in a space that celebrates supporting local. And we see it in the families who come out after a long week, kids in tow, looking for something fun and intentional to do together.”
An Online Network
As Murray looks to her business’ future, she has her sights set on further expansion of the online directory that Shop Local Queen City added in 2020. “Whether you’re searching for the perfect outfit, a thoughtful gift, or simply want to shop small, ShopLocalQC.com is becoming a go-to resource for connecting with Charlotte’s incredible small businesses,” she says. As both the in-person markets and online directory continue to grow, business decisions will nevertheless continue to be made with creators top of mind. “When we put makers, artisans, and creators at the center, we’re not just building markets,” says Murray. “We’re building culture, connection, and opportunities for small businesses to thrive.”
