The owners of Dead Center Vintage downtown are teaming for a new venture

The owners of Dead Center Vintage have had such a great four years since opening the vintage shop downtown that they’ve decided to give back by throwing a regular market.

“We wanted to start a vintage market in downtown just as a way to . . . promote small businesses in Wichita and give back to the downtown community that has just invested so much in us,” said Kenzie Borland, who owns the business with Laz Massey, Gabrielle Griffie and Morgan Goodwin.

The first Middle of the Map Vintage Market will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 8 at Naftzger Park across from the store, which is at 626 E. Douglas.

“We see it as a way to platform other sellers,” Massey said. “For people who are first starting to sell or wanting to meet other dealers or sellers or grow their customer base.”

There will be space for about 30 vendors, and Borland said local ones will get first pick. She expects some regional vendors as well.

The owners of Spektrum Muzik will be DJing, and there likely will be a few food trucks, too.

The market primarily will feature apparel and accessories, Borland said, since other markets have vintage home decor items.

The event will be free to the public. The vendor fee is $75.

The Dead Center Vintage partners have seen similar markets elsewhere.

“It’s something we’ve always wanted to do,” Massey said.

He said doing pop-ups is “how we first got started and how we all met.”

If especially successful, the market may become monthly, Massey said. For now, it’s likely to be spring, summer and fall.

“We feel like so grateful for how Wichita received us four years ago,” Borland said. “We’re so excited to be, like, just in the middle of Wichita with our market.”