Albort the Gator (yes, you read that right) can be found on stickers on laptops and air fresheners in dorms across campus. The cross-eyed, goofy gator was co-created by 19-year-old UF sophomore roommates Allyson Trump and Kahlia Hsieh in February, when they were up at 4 a.m. thinking about how UF “needs cute merch.”
On Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Trump and Hsieh were at the Gator Market on the Reitz Lawn, selling their Albort merch to students making their way through rows of tents. They try to keep their products within a college student’s price range at five bucks or under.
“We wanted to make cute little Gator merch that wasn't crazy expensive, but could reach a target audience of most Gators,” Trump said.
Trump and Hsieh were among around 50 vendors at this semester’s first Gator Market, an event held monthly on the Reitz Union North Lawn. It allows both the Gainesville community and UF students to share their businesses with the student body. From vintage clothing to handcrafted jewelry, there is something for every student that passes by between classes.
Some of the students who tabled at the market had never participated in an event of this kind before.
Wes Melker, a 19-year-old UF Wildlife Ecology and Conservation sophomore, started posting his art on Instagram last year and mainly sold his work to close friends. His products are largely prints and stickers inspired by graffiti and Native American artwork. Most of his pieces are abstract black-and-white patterns and characters.
“It took a very long time to get my own distinct style,” he said. “And now that I feel like I have one that's recognizable, I don't know what to call it. So, you know, it's just me.”
While Melker anticipates his academic workload will soon become time-consuming, he remains hopeful that his business, Fridgeville, will continue through his time at UF. Melker draws his inspiration from other Gainesville artists who have turned their passions into profits.
Another vendor, University Street, founded by Kaily Mermelstein, features a variety of handmade goods, including crochet coasters, earrings, clay magnets and custom calligraphy. The 22-year-old UF pharmacy freshman avidly crafts in her free time but launched a business this summer so she could participate at the event.
“It's a lot more accessible than other markets, where you have to pay like $70 for a table,” she said. “For Gator Market, it's $15 for a table.”
The next market will be held Sept. 17, and Mermelstein is already signed up. She said she will continue to use Gator Market as an affordable means to grow her shop’s reach.
There will be three more Gator Markets this semester. Vendor applications are limited and provided on a first come, first serve basis.
This article has been updated to reflect that the next market is Sept. 17, not Sept. 27. The Alligator previously reported otherwise.
Contact Isabel Kraby at ikraby@alligator.org. Follow her on X @isabelgkraby.
