Press Release June 22, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
VECINOS MARKET LAUNCHES AS MIAMI’S FIRST DIGITAL ARTISAN MARKETPLACE FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES
New curated online shopping platform will offer home delivery of unique, quality goods and experiences from South Florida’s top vendors and startups
MIAMI, Fla. (June 22, 2020) — Vecinos Market is excited to announce that as of June 22, Miami residents will have access to the new online shopping and delivery platform that is bringing Miami’s best boutiques and local businesses together to create the only digital marketplace of its kind in the area. As consumers look to support more local businesses in the post-COVID-19 era, Vecinos offers a one-stop-shop for browsing and buying from Miami-based vendors that reflect the character and people of the Magic City. There is a diverse range of products available for delivery through Vecinos Market in categories such as Food & Drink, Clothing & Accessories, Home & Living, and Kids & Fun.
Vecinos Market will also work with its vendors to create exclusive offers and experiences for Miamians. The Experiences section of the site will offer free fitness classes, activities for kids, and interviews with chefs, entrepreneurs, and other talented individuals that have made Miami the dynamic and thriving city it is today. A dedicated page will also be available for donations to be made to non-profit partners who play a major role in supporting those underserved in our community.
Vecinos, which means neighbors in Spanish, was started by two actual Shorecrest neighbors and proud Miamians – Yvonne Chen and Rafael Barrera – who came up with the idea while out for a jog during the recent mandated quarantine. “When the Coronavirus pandemic hit, we kept asking ourselves how we can help our community and the local businesses within it, and not just during this time but after too. Rafael, my husband and I always come up with crazy ideas when we get together but this one stuck. It felt right,” said Chen, Co-Founder & CEO of Vecinos Market.
Chen, who enjoyed a successful career with Carnival Corporation in successive leadership roles for the past 17 years, brings her leadership, organizational, and financial expertise to Vecinos, while Barerra’s personal passion for cooking and the culinary arts, and his family’s long history in retail development, will set the product standard for the startup.
In order to get Vecinos Market off the ground, Chen and Barrera began to source local Miami-based vendors to feature on their new digital marketplace. “The criteria was simple,” said Barrera, Vecinos Market Co-Founder & Chief Curator. “When looking at potential vendor partners, we wanted to ensure that they are first and foremost locally-based and independent. Secondly, that their product is unique and of the highest quality and third, that they are a socially conscious business with a sense of community.”
Brands that are currently available through the Vecinos marketplace include Atelier Belladonna, Earthy Chic Boutique, Happy Monkey, KUSH Wynwood, Mondepice, Organically Ori, Pamela Wasabi Bakery, Panther Coffee, Radiate Kombucha, Rebirth Elixirs, SUR Empanadas, Paz y Luna, and Taja Collection, among others.
“We want to make it easy for consumers to shop local while getting to know Miami’s top artisans and entrepreneurs” said Barrera. “There are a lot of conveniences in our modern world but that often means that the little guys get left out. Vecinos Market is so much more than a shopping platform, it’s a true reflection of Miami and the people who make it shine.”
To celebrate its launch, Vecinos Market will be offering new customers a 10% discount on their first purchase, plus free delivery on orders of $100 or more on an ongoing basis. Delivery rates on orders less than $100 will be calculated based on distance and selected delivery speed. The Vecinos Rewards program allows shoppers to accumulate 2 points for every $1 spent on the site, and to earn a $1 redemption for every 100 points earned. For referrals, customers will also receive a $10 credit for themselves as well as the person they referred to the platform. Customers wanting to return or exchange their Vecinos Market purchase, can request for it to be picked up from their home and returned to the vendor for an added fee of $7.50. Whether an item is refundable or exchangeable is in accordance with the vendor’s policy.
For more information, visit VecinosMarket.com and follow along on social media @VecinosMarketMiami.
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ABOUT VECINOS MARKET
Vecinos Market is Miami’s only digital marketplace that brings the best local artisans, independent restaurants, boutiques, and products from your screen directly to your door – making it easy to shop and support locally. Meaning “neighbors” in Spanish, Vecinos Market facilitates connections between local businesses, resident shoppers, and their communities.