Nine Years in the Nine-Oh-One
Monster Market began 9 years ago as a weird passing notion— what if I curated my own little novelties shop and filled it with fun art from my friends? A few months later, armed with 90 sq ft on loan from the Downtown Memphis Commission, a few yards of yellow fur, and a dream, I set out to build Monster Market (version 1)!
That was 2017. Every October since then, I’ve scouted and curated a totally new collection of weird art and maker-made oddities, and (with the help of so many incredible people along the way) meticulously crafted a pop-up store experience that some have called insane! Are they right? Maybe— but you have to admit it looks pretty neat when it all comes together!
A Spotlight on Weird Art and Odd Novelties
I say it every year, but this year’s collection is OUR BEST EVER! We’re carrying literally thousands of unique pieces sourced from around 130 makers— we’re talking all kinds of creatives: painters, printmakers, sculptors, writers, zinesters, ceramicists, jewelers, and bakers, oh my. We even got a guy who makes fully wearable monster masks out of cardboard!
The strongest themes I’ve seen emerge so far in this year’s collection:
- Mothman and many fun variations thereof— Mothwoman, Luna Mothman, Mothman of Memphis, Kewpie Mothman, etc.
- The Pyramid (yes, our Pyramid) as a focus for conspiracy theories and supernatural happenings!
- Frogs dressed up as little tiny wizards. Not sure it really gets any better than that!
- Jackelopes and wolpertingers— which if you don’t know, are both mythological cryptids that are part rabbit or hare!
Opening Night is gonna be BONKERS
It may be a weird artifact from our years as an online pop-up during lockdown, but the big unveiling each year is always a massive blowout. We used to fight it, but now we lean in— hard— and have a huge party to celebrate! Freaks from the tri-state area and beyond flock to our yellow cave, donned in their freshly-pressed costume onesies for an evening of frenetic fun.
Our Opening Night party this year is on Friday October 10th from 5-10pm, featuring:
- Tunes by DJ St Francis Elevator Ride and DJ Witch Hazel
- Photo Booth by Cheers Photo Co.
- Bites by Whisks of Doom and Bain BBQ (while they last!)
- Sips by Hi-Tone and Wiseacre
It’s really swelled over our 9 years— I like to call the Event of the (Spooky) Season!
Collaboration is Critical
I had no idea that by chasing my silly little dream, I’d end up creating an entire community of weirdos! As we grow the shop collection and maker roster year to year, I’m excited to also grow the brand. This year we’re partnering with multiple rad local orgs to spread our reach!
- Local storyteller BitchBopz is creating exciting BTS content with our makers! Keep an eye out for that in October!
- Frame Corner is framing a special selection of prints from our 2025 collection! We pick a few of our favorites, and let the geniuses at Frame Corner have total creative control over framing, matting, glass, and finishing— they are always beautiful, and their generosity allows us to sell these pieces at a discount!
- WYXR had one of their DJs record a hilariously spooky radio spot for Monster Market, currently running on 91.7FM now through October!
- Keep an eye out for our merch collab with our pals over at Slowdown Dry Goods, who are singlehandedly defining the civic pride streetwear game in Memphis right now.
Creating Community with Events!
As if there weren’t enough reasons already to get your ass downtown to Monster Market, I figured I’d sweeten the pot with a fun in-store event every single day we’re open! I’m a huge believer in the power of collaboration, community, and connections. Sometimes all it takes is the right event to connect two people who should’ve already met. It literally thrills me to be a part of making those connections happen!
We’re collaborating with some of my favorite folks doing cool things in Memphis right now to create some really fun, creatively-charging events!
- Like Really Creative is letting us monsterize one of his mega-popular collage parties! You’ll definitely want to register early for the Monster Collage Party happening on Saturday October 11!
- Beale Street Monster Club, who screen a classic monster movie every month at A. Schwab’s on Beale Street, will be screening DRACULA (1931) on Sunday night October 12. Attendees can expect to check out a mini-display of memorabilia from the BSMC Founders, and hear a brief presentation around the history of the film before the feature presentation!
- The Professional Monster Meet-Up is a spooky open happy hour co-hosted with AAF Memphis to celebrate the wonderful weirdness of creative professionals! From in-house marketing to small business owners to solo artists— if you’re serious about your craft, this is a mixer for you!
In-Store Event Schedule Lineup
Looking for something unique to do in Memphis this spooky season? Monster Market has you covered. We’re only around for 1 week each year— so make your plans now! See you there!
Friday October 10 | Shop open 5-10p
5-10pm: OPENING NIGHT PARTY
Your first chance to shop the 2025 pop-up! Plus: tunes by DJ St Francis Elevator Ride and DJ Witch Hazel, photo booth by Cheers Photo Co., bar by Hi-Tone and Wiseacre, and bites by Whisks of Doom and Bain BBQ while they last!
Saturday October 11 | Shop open 12-8p
5-8pm: MONSTER COLLAGE PARTY with Like Really Creative
Join us for a monster-fied installment of Like Really Creative’s famous collage parties! Free event! Materials and bevs provided, reserve a seat in advance.
Sunday October 12 | Shop open 11a-8p
11a-sold out: WAKE AND BAKE with Whisks of Doom
Fresh-baked hand pie pop-up from our resident heavy metal baker babe Whisks of Doom, featuring wild flavors and cold brew.
2-4p: GAME DEMO with Monster Market Game Creators!
Free event! Learn how to play games featured in Monster Market from the game creators themselves: Rumors and Legends (a cryptid take on Clue) from Shiny Robot Games + Micro-TTRPGS by Fledge Art.
6-8pm: Beale Street Monster Club presents DRACULA (1931)
Free event! 6p Popcorn + mingling / 6:30 Presentation by BSMC / 6:45 Feature presentation
Monday October 13 | Shop open 12-8p
12-8pm: MONSTER MOVIE MONDAY in the mini-cinema
6-8pm: Movie night ft. CABIN IN THE WOODS (2011 • R)
Free event! Popcorn and bevs on deck! Limited seating.
Tuesday October 14 | Shop open 12-8p
5:30-7:30: PROFESSIONAL MONSTER MEET UP with AAF Memphis
An open spooky happy hour celebrating the wonderful weirdness of creative professionals!
Wednesday October 15 | Shop open 12-8p
6-8pm: SHE BITES | Movie night with Whisks of Doom
6pm Concession stand pop-up / 6:15 Jennifer’s Body (2009 • R) in the mini-cinema. Free event!
Thursday October 16 | Shop open 12-8p
12-8pm: Closing Day Sale – Discounts on many items!
6-8pm: LAST RESPECTS PARTY ft. DJ Witch Hazel from WYXR!
Wear black, check out our closing sale discounts, grab a bev, and somberly groove to a spooky set by DJ Witch Hazel.
This blog was written by Lauren Holtermann | Holtermonster
Lauren Holtermann is Holtermonster— an illustrator, designer, poster artist, and art events organizer in Memphis, TN! You may know her from her seasonal pop-up Monster Market, her 12 years of posters for the Time Warp Drive-In, or many other creative events/projects around town.
