Pop up canopy

[Jim56]

Anyone using a pop up or easy up canopy for your market? I'm looking for one but not sure which one will hold up the best. The ones sold locally seem to light weight. Any suggestions? Thanks, Jim

[mommagoose_99]

We bought our Easy-up canapy at Lowes last year. It really takes two people to put it up and I work alone, so I try to snag a passerby to help me put it up. I checked Lowes on line before buying mine. It cost $199 but it is heavy and worth it to me. You can order from Lowes on line and they will UPS it to you if need be.
Linda

[mistletoad]

We've been using our E-Z Up for 4 years now. DH can put it up and lower it by himself, but the result seems to be more lost bolts than usual (they shake loose). Last year he backed the truck into it so we have one bent leg. Then the roof tore in a particularly bad storm (we weren't home to take it down). I think we will be getting a new one this year.

We use ours as a packing shed and share pick-up for our CSA so it is in use for about 28-32 weeks and comes down whenever a storm or heavy winds are expected. So not quite the same as taking it to market each week.

I think we have the Express II. We do have the side walls and use those - the zipper pulls have both snapped off and the zipper is coming unstitched from the walls. And we have the roller bag, but we never use it.

I don't think I would buy a cheaper one. I rather like the look of the Endeavor and it promises better rain run-off (we find water does not really run off the Express but pools in each corner and drips slowly through).

[T-Bone 369]

Originally Posted by mistletoad

I don't think I would buy a cheaper one.

That's the mistake we made when we bought our first canopy - it lasted a year or two then gave up the ghost. We now use two Eazy ups - had them about four years - probably have another good year in them (starting to show some wear on the fabric edges) but from a cost point they worked out cheaper as they didn't need replacing.

Something else to remember is the need for having tiedowns available when you need them - it does not take much wind to send canopies tail over teapot. We carry bungie cords in our market kit and have sandbags in the trailer. If it's windy or there is a threat of storms we get them out and store under the table. Sometimes there is only a matter of minutes to get everything secure - tents but also all the other items you have (cover the scales, get the bags secure, cover the money box, ect) not to mention tending the customers that are hurrying to get finished shopping before rain hits. Being prepared has saved up several times.

[vegfarmer]

Easy up make several styles my favorite is the 10 x 10 straight sided with the upper frame work level with the top of the legs (this is hard to explain but is obvious when you see the different styles) this allows me to partially unfolr it from the outside then get underneath it and push straight up on the upper frame work so I can set it up on my own. It is recommended you have 25 lbs of weights for each leg. I usually tie 2 corners to my truck and put weights on the other 2.

[paintlady]

I have a 10x10 that I bought at Menards. Last year a high wind came up and broke two of the cheaper 8x8's that some other vendors had. I bought the weights and sides for mine and they came in handy last summer.

[GrinningPlanet]

Get a white or light colored one. The first one I bought was my favorite color and a color in my farm logo - blue. Mistake. It is too dark and doesn't flatter your produce. Also, get a well made one (E-Z up or similar) and it will last a long time. Mine has been through several thunderstorms with high winds. Two of us held it down but no rips - thankfully.

[Marcia in MT]

Our spaces at market are parking spaces, so we are limited to a 6' x 10' canopy, not the easiest size to find. And the supports aren't allowed to encroach on our neighbors' spaces, either. AND, we have a lot of wind!! We end up using market umbrellas, which are not entirely satisfactory and not entirely windproof, even with weights on the stand.

*sigh*

[paintlady]

I just went to Menards and bought two more sets of weights for my canopy. That will give me 15 lbs on each leg. They had the new canopies out too. Last year they were all sold out by August, so a heads up to anyone thinking of buying one. Buy early.

[keltink]

Like others are saying, I can't emphasize enough the importance of securing the popup tents w/weight. We got lazy and I paid last Wednesday at market, when a strong gust of wind came through. All the vendors' tents went flying. One was destroyed. Luckily no one was hurt.
We have one of the relatively inexpensive popups, purchased on sale last year from Wal Mart. It has done well for us, though one leg had to be spliced after last week, and there is now a small rip in the canvas.

[GrinningPlanet]

This is why it would be sooooo great if the farmers markets were under a pavillion --- no tents!!!!! I've been to a few really nice markets and I just drooled over their permanent setup.