Answers For Independent Market Owners
Market FAQ
What is Market Life?
Market Life is a growing network built to help independent, community-centered markets become easier to find, better supported, and more connected to the communities they serve.
What kinds of markets belong on Market Life?
Market Life is designed for independent, community-centered markets—including local markets, refill markets, cooperatives, multi-vendor markets, and certain online buying clubs. We look for markets that help people access quality goods, food, services, or experiences while contributing something meaningful to their communities.
What is a Founding Market?
Founding Markets are the independent markets choosing to join Market Life while we’re laying the foundation for the network and building what comes next.
Right now, the primary benefit of being a Founding Market is access to our limited-time founding rate for a Featured Listing. That rate will remain available to you as long as your subscription stays active.
As Market Life grows, we expect Founding Markets to have a place in the story of how this network was built—but we’re keeping the focus simple right now: get your market on the map, help us build the foundation, and grow alongside us.
Who qualifies for Market Life?
Market Life is for independent markets that put people, place, and community at the center of what they do. A market generally qualifies if it meets one of these two paths:
LOCAL MARKET
At least 80% of the products offered are locally grown, made, produced, or sourced within the market’s defined local area.
COMMUNITY-CENTERED MARKET
If a market doesn’t meet the 80% local standard, it may still qualify if it has a strong community-centered purpose through one or more of the following:
- Community-Owned — owned by members, local residents, the community it serves, OR operated by a cooperative, nonprofit, organization, or similar community-based entity
- Refillery — helps the community access lower-waste, reusable, or package-free alternatives.
- Community Programming — provides meaningful programs, education, events, services, or initiatives that directly benefit the community.
- Community Mission — operates with a clearly established purpose centered on strengthening the people and community it serves.
Market Life looks at the market as a whole—not simply what it sells. The goal is to recognize independent markets that give people a meaningful reason to shop, gather, participate, and support one another. More info on qualifications here.
What if most or all of what I offer comes from my own farm?
That’s okay. The 80% guideline is about the local nature of what a market offers, not about requiring products from multiple producers. A farm-based market can qualify when it is independently operated and the products offered are primarily grown, made, or produced locally. More info on qualifications here.
What if my market is only open seasonally?
Seasonal markets can qualify. Market Life recognizes that many independent markets operate around growing seasons, harvests, tourism, holidays, or other seasonal schedules. Being open year-round is not a requirement for inclusion. More info on qualifications here.
Who is Market Life NOT for?
Market Life isn’t intended to be a directory for every business that happens to sell something locally. Our focus is specifically on independent, community-centered markets.
Market Life is generally not for:
- Traditional retail stores or chain stores
- Antique malls or primarily antique-focused markets
- Conventional grocery stores and supermarkets
- Restaurants, cafés, or coffee shops that operate primarily as food-service businesses
- Flea markets focused primarily on resale goods
- Large commercial marketplaces without a meaningful local or community-centered purpose
- Markets operated primarily as an extension of a large corporation, national chain, or outside commercial organization
- Businesses that don’t operate as a market, marketplace, cooperative, refillery, or similar community-centered model
There may be exceptions when a business has a distinctive community-centered structure or mission that fits the purpose of Market Life. If you’re not sure, you’re welcome to ask. More info on qualifications here.
What does it cost to be listed in the directory?
Nothing. Basic Market Life listings are free. If you own or manage a market, you can also claim your listing at no cost and request updates to your information. Featured Listings are available for markets that want additional visibility.
What is a Featured Listing?
A Featured Listing gives your market an enhanced presence within Market Life, with added visibility in search and category areas. Featured Listings are available through an annual subscription, and you can view the current rate and subscribe here.
How do I claim my market’s listing?
Find your market in the directory by searching from the home page and select “Are you the owner? Claim your free listing.” Complete the short form and we’ll verify your request and help get your information updated.
What if my market isn’t listed yet?
You can register your market with Market Life. We’ll review the information and determine whether it fits the Market Life directory.
What images and logos should I provide?
For the best presentation, please provide one high-quality interior and one exterior photo of your market along with a clean, single-color logo that can be displayed clearly over the image.
Choose a photo that represents your market well—bright, clear, uncluttered, and large enough to look sharp on both desktop and mobile. For your logo, a solid black or other single-color version works best. A transparent-background PNG or other high-resolution logo file is ideal.
The better the source images, the better your market will look throughout Market Life.
Are you expanding into more areas?
Yes! Market Life is starting with a limited number of regions as we build the foundation, with plans to expand into more communities over time.
If Market Life isn’t available in your area yet, register your market anyway. We’ll review your information and consider your area as we continue expanding the network.
Can I offer a special deal to Market Life shoppers?
Absolutely. Markets can choose to offer a special promotion exclusively for people who found them through Market Life. Offers are completely optional and can be anything that makes sense for your market, such as a free gift with purchase, a percentage discount, a free sample, or another special incentive. When you register your market, simply tell us what you’d like to offer and any conditions that apply.
How do I change information in my listing?
If you’ve claimed your listing, simply contact us with the changes you’d like to make. We can update information such as your description, hours, website, contact information, offerings, photos, and other important details.
Can Market Life help promote my market?
Yes. Market Life offers done-for-you Meta advertising for independent markets that want to reach more of the right people without having to manage the campaigns themselves.
Our advertising service is separate from your Market Life listing, so you don’t have to be a Featured Market to use it. We handle the campaign management while you focus on running your market.
Can I have my market removed from the directory?
Yes. If you don’t want your market included, contact us about the reason for removal and we’ll review your request.
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Market Life 364
Building Resilient Communities, One Independent Market At A Time
Independent Markets. Resilient Communities.
Whether you’re building a business, growing your local market, or simply living the Market Life, we’re here to support your journey.
Built On The Rhythm Of Real Life …
Market Life 364 and the Market Life Directory were born from the everyday rhythm of homestead living – gathering eggs before meetings, weeding the garden between strategy calls, and building a business while raising a family. It’s a brand rooted in faith and the steady, grounded work of crating a life from scratch.
That same spirit shapes Market Life today – supporting the independent markets, makers, growers, and community builders who are creating meaningful local economies of their own. We bring together the people who live, work, and build with purpose – and who believe a good life is something worth building from the ground up.