Soul Swapmeet has a new location in North Park where it will host its event every third Saturday of the month. The next event is on Feb. 18.
BY NATALLIE ROCHA
San Diego’s Soul Swapmeet, an event that promotes Black entrepreneurs and a variety of local businesses, is coming to North Park.
The next Soul Swapmeet is scheduled for this Saturday, Feb. 18, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The small-business event will be held every third Saturday of the
Shala Waines, founder of Creative Vibes, an arts and entertainment business that hosts the swap meet, said this will be the first Soul Swapmeet of the year.
Waines started hosting her marquee event a few years ago to fill a gap she identified in the San Diego community for Black-ownedbusinesses to grow, gather and sell. Her goal from the beginning has been to cultivate a space for small businesses to grow their ventures and create generational wealth among Black entrepreneurs.
‘We don’t win unless they win’: San Diego entrepreneurs elevate Black-owned businesses at the Soul Swapmeet
The community gathering was previously hosted at Kobey’s Swap Meet in the Midway District and at Westfield Mission Valley. While the local marketplace is moving to North Park, Waines said “the goal remains the same — to have Black entrepreneurs, start their businesses and then hire within the community.”
“It’s still the Soul Swapmeet — geared towards Black entrepreneurs, but not just for Black entrepreneurs,” the Spring Valley resident said. “And it’s to create generational wealth and economic development within the city of San Diego.”
The event brings together vendors selling everything from handmade jewelry to natural products to care for your beard and a nonprofit connecting people with food resources. There will also be a kids area and a live DJ (at select dates).
Saturday’s event is slated to have eight hot food vendors and two food trucks on-site. There will be a little more than 50 retail vendors and free prize giveaways featuring some of their products.
In one change, admission to Soul Swapmeet is now free. Waines previously charged a $3 entry fee to help offset the costs of hosting the event.
The fee for all vendors has also dropped to just $50. From the beginning, Waines said she has made an effort to keep vendor fees minimal to lower barriers for people who are just starting their business.
“I’m taking away any extra costs for people to come and support these entrepreneurs,” she said. “So the only thing you have to pay for are the things you buy.”
Waines said she is excited that her event will be a consistent feature at the center of North Park Community Park through the rest of the year. At future Soul Swapmeets, Waines said they plan to host a beer and wine garden for themed dates.
Parking is available at the park near Howard Avenue and along the surrounding streets. To keep up to date on the event, visit the Soul Swapmeet website and Instagram.