Trader Bears
Hello everyone, Kev here welcoming you to the fifth edition of the Oddmall Vendor Spotlight! This will be a recurring series to share with you all some of your local vendors and attendees of Oddmall shows, highlighting their incredible talents, wonderful personalities and amazing creations.
After a brief hiatus due to travel, I got back to speaking with many of our wonderful vendors, and I’m excited to bring you one of the newest additions to the Oddmall family – Trader Bears! Starting as a small gift shop 11 years ago, Matt and Tad, the self-branded hus-bears, branched out and created their brand over the years, becoming the traveling duo bringing spooky, kooky and sassy to Ohio and beyond!
While Matt and Tad may currently be traveling and bringing their product and show to various festivals and events, it actually was originally branched out as a secondary enterprise. Their gift shop, formerly located in Beverly, OH, was their base of operations where they dealt in antique and vintage merch. Unfortunately, COVID came and the shop suffered, as many small business owners can attest to. While the shop survived the initial pandemic, business never fully recovered so they made the decision to close the shop and re-brand to the Trader Bears in 2023.
“I’ve always been the weird kid in the corner,” Matt says, discussing the re-brand. “I decided it was an opportunity to create a business that was authentic to both myself and the weird things I’ve always found interesting. I’m incredibly lucky to have a husband who fully supported the idea, and so we found a way to invite all the other weird kids to come hang out in our corner with us!”
What I find most intriguing and exciting about Trader Bears is their presentation. While they have spent years restoring the old, haunted Magnolia Knoll Mansion in McConnelsville, OH, they also own two vintage Hearses that perfectly fit their theme and aesthetic. Often at shows, you can find one of the Hearses, named “The Dark Lady”, which is their centerpiece. Also featured are a real casket filled with merch, standing coffin cases, pink and black lace tablecloths, jazz music, and a 20-ft tent resembling a New Orleans funeral. On occasion, there is even a 20ft tall inflatable cat!
When it comes to their product line-up, it’s safe to say they offer a little bit of everything; from clothing and accessories to health and grooming products, you can find it all here! “Our merchandise selection is varied enough to appeal to a wide range of shoppers,” Tad includes when discussing their merchandise line. “Depending on the show or venue, we can tailor our theme to fit the event while staying true to our core identity. What seems to be most popular at a pride festival is completely different from what sells well at a Tattoo event. Our T-shirts and novelty socks are always a hit no matter where we go. But our hilarious gargoyle and gnome sculptures are my personal favorite!”
While we only recently got the chance to meet Tad and Matt at ChrisHanuKwanzMadan 2024, they have been attending a wide variety of events, most often being found at Horror/Paranormal events, tattoo festivals, and pride/diversity events. Recently, they’ve also been invited to Hearsemania on a multi-year deal, so be sure to check the quickly-filling schedule at their links below, and thank you so much to Matt and Tad for sharing their story and business with us!
You can find more from Trader Bears at:
Trader Bears website
Trader Bears Facebook
Trader Bears Instagram
Future Oddmall Shows
Want to be featured in your own Vendor Spotlight? Contact Kevin at Kevin@Oddmall.info or fill out the application here!
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