Maker guide · Kildeer & Lake County
Where to sell handmade items locally
Makers around Kildeer and Lake County have five main ways to sell in person: craft fairs, consignment shops, wholesale to boutiques, a booth in a staffed store, or a storefront of their own. The right one depends on how much time you can spend selling, how much stock you have, and how much control you want over your display.
The five options, side by side
Craft fairs and weekend markets
You rent a table or tent for a single event, bring your stock, and sell in person.
- Works well for
- Meeting customers face to face, testing new products, low commitment.
- Keep in mind
- You staff every hour, pack and unpack each time, and sales stop when the event ends.
Consignment shops
A shop displays your items and pays you a share after they sell, on the shop’s own terms.
- Works well for
- No staffing, no space to manage.
- Keep in mind
- The shop usually decides display and placement, and you are paid only after items sell.
Wholesale to local boutiques
A boutique buys your products at a wholesale price and resells them.
- Works well for
- Paid up front, no staffing.
- Keep in mind
- You earn the wholesale price, not retail, and the boutique controls how your brand is shown.
Staffed booth rental (how Vendors Blvd works)
You rent your own booth in a staffed store, stock and style it, and the store sells for you at a shared checkout.
- Works well for
- Year-round presence, your own branded space, no shifts to cover.
- Keep in mind
- A monthly rent plus a commission on sales, and you keep the booth stocked.
Your own storefront
You lease a shop, fit it out and run it yourself.
- Works well for
- Full control of the space and the brand.
- Keep in mind
- A commercial lease, staff or your own hours behind the counter, and every running cost.
Questions to ask yourself first
- How many hours a week can you spend selling in person?
- Do you have enough stock to keep a space full all month, not just for one weekend?
- Do you want your own branded display, or are you happy for a shop to arrange your items?
- Can you cover a fixed monthly cost, or do you need costs only when something sells?
- Where do your customers live, and would they shop there?
Selling at Vendors Blvd in Kildeer
Vendors Blvd Boutiques at 20771 N Rand Rd, Suite F, Kildeer is a staffed marketplace for independent boutiques, artisans and makers. You choose a booth from 60 to 289 sq ft on the floor plan, stock it, and restock weekly, every two weeks or monthly. Our team staffs the store and runs one shared checkout, we keep a 10% commission, and vendors are paid monthly. There is no application fee. Monthly rent depends on the booth; call 847-847-6578 or email info@vendorsblvd.com for current rates.
We carry apparel and accessories, handcrafted jewelry, home goods, wellness and botanicals, art and prints, gifts and paper goods, and vintage and collectibles. Food and edible products are not sold.
Getting ready to move in? Read the vendor booth setup checklist.
Common questions
What is the difference between consignment and renting a booth?
With consignment, a shop displays your items and pays you a share after they sell, on the shop’s own terms. With booth rental you pay a monthly rent for your own space, set it up and stock it yourself; at Vendors Blvd the store also keeps a 10% commission, so you keep 90% of each sale.
Can I sell handmade items in a store without staffing it myself?
Yes. Consignment, wholesale and staffed booth rental all let you sell in a store without working shifts. At Vendors Blvd in Kildeer, IL, the Vendors Blvd team staffs the store and runs the checkout for every booth; vendors only stock and restock.
Can I sell food or baked goods at Vendors Blvd?
No. Food and edible products are not sold at Vendors Blvd.