The Localist is an online marketplace built exclusively for local makers, artists, bakers, designers, and creators.
Think Etsy, but closer to the Queen City!
Whether you have a massive portfolio or are a hobbyist, you are welcome here. You don't need a website or social media following. You just need a passion that your neighbors can see in your work!
The Localist supports the people behind the products: the ceramicist working from a home studio, the baker with a growing following, the artist selling prints, the woodworker making one-of-a-kind pieces, the candle maker pouring small batches, and the painter that's ready to reach more people close to home.
With an easy application process and low $10 shop fee, we want to see you succeed as a seller on the Localist! That's the whole point!
How It Works
1. Submit your application to be a creator.
Our short application asks basic questions about your art to be accepted as a creator. Almost all applications are accepted. We do no accept resellers at this time.
2. Create your Localist shop.
Add your products, photos, descriptions, pricing, availability, and pick up locations. Your products become part of the Localist marketplace.
3. Local customers shop online.
Shoppers can discover your products alongside other creators from the Charlotte community. They place their order and pay online.
4. You prepare your orders.
When an order comes in, you make, pack, and label it for your customer.
5. Drop orders at your Localist Host.
Instead of shipping every individual order, you bring completed orders to a participating local Host location during the designated drop-off window.
6. Your customer picks it up.
The customer stops by the Host location to grab their order. No coordinating meetups. No packing and shipping something that only needs to travel a few miles. Convenience for both your schedule and theirs!
Your neighbors want to shop local. Let's make it easier for them to find you.
You Make It. We Help Sell It.
The Localist is designed to make selling locally feel easier.
You get the flexibility of running your own small business/side hustle with the visibility of a 24/7 craft show (minus the tent set up) and a pickup system built specifically around your schedule.
More time creating and less time figuring out how to get your products into customers' hands.
Questions You May Have
What is The Localist?
The Localist is an online marketplace built for local Creators and local shoppers.
You list your products online, customers shop and pay through The Localist, and instead of shipping orders, you deliver them to a nearby Localist Host for customer pickup.
Think online marketplace, neighborhood delivery.
What does "local" mean?
The Localist operates within the Charlotte metro area. To participate, Creators must be comfortable delivering their products within the Charlotte region.
If you don't have a Host nearby, please share our information with some of your favorite neighborhood spots!
Who can be a creator?
If you make it, bake it, design it, grow it, decorate it, sew it, paint it, build it, or create it locally, you belong as a Localist Creator. We accept almost every craft and don't mind if you hope to sell one product or one daily! Every type of creator from hobbyists to full-time creatives is welcome at the Localist.
Mass-produced resale products and dropshipped goods aren't what The Localist is about. This isn't the place for consignment or preloved items either.
Creators must submit an application prior to setting up their shop.
Creators must be 18 years or older to independently open and operate a Localist shop. Creators aged 13-17 may participate with a parent or legal guardian, who must establish and manage the seller account and agree to The Localist's Seller Terms on the creator's behalf. Individuals under the age of 13 cannot legally accept online payments and cannot sell on our platform.
Do I have to make everything myself?
The products you sell should be made, designed, grown, produced or meaningfully transformed by you or your business.
How does drop off & pick up work?
This process is what makes the Localist different from other online marketplaces. Instead of packaging up your work to ship, you pack it and take it to the local Host. Hosts will be participating coffee shops, boutiques, breweries, etc. who will hold your work for pick up. Through the website, you will notify the buyer their package is ready for pick up. Then, they can pick up your work on their schedule!
The Host location is decided before the purchase. During your shop setup, you will have the ability to select your preferred locations. This information will be shared with the shoppers so everyone is informed.
Ideally, you decide to support our local Hosts while you drop off!
What is the cost to sell?
For 2026, the following fees will apply to Creator accounts:
- $10 Annual Shop Fee
In addition, NC Sales Tax is automatically built into the sales platform.
Fees may be reevaluated for 2027.
What can I sell?
We love all crafts!
- Art
- Home Goods
- Gifts
- Paper
- Jewelry
- Accessories
- Plants/Flowers
- Shelf-Stable Local Food, must be able to be safely stored at room temperature
Creators may offer a commissioned option for a product, if they have created at least one.
At this time, we are only accepting products between $5 and $300.
What can't I sell?
In order to comply with all legal regulations and our company brand, these products/services are not allowed on the platform at this time:
- Refrigerated or frozen foods
- Any service-based sale, see the FAQ regarding creative services
- Knives, gun, or weapons
- Drugs, alcohol, tobacco, hemp, vapes or other controlled substances
- Any pornographic materials, including artwork
- Supplements, medicines, or remedies
- Used clothing, even if it is handmade
- Upcycled products, with some exceptions
- Purchased or manufactured products- at this point, we do not have the option to offer reseller products
- Live animals
- Products priced below $5 or over $500
If you are accepted as a Creator, you may be subject to additional restrictions by the state and county. Please ensure you are in compliance, especially if you are:
- Food creator/baker
- Plant grower/sellers
- Pet food/treat creator
We will continue to monitor products as they are added and remove products that do not conform to this regulation. Creators who fail to comply will be removed from the Localist.
Can I sell creative services?
At this time, the Localist is only accepting physical products for sale. The next phase will be a services marketplace for Creatives to market and sell their services.
This will include:
- Graphic, web, advertising, print design and marketing services
- Party decorating & planning
- Beauty services, such as hair styling, make up artists, nail technicians, etc.
- At-home guided art classes
There may be select exceptions, such as a commissioned live painting service.
If you are interested in selling creative services, please reach out to abby@creativenextdoor.com
How do customers order my products?
Customers browse and purchase through The Localist.
You'll receive the order information you need to prepare and package each purchase for pickup.
No chasing payments. No coordinating a meetup through Instagram DMs.
Do I have to ship anything?
That's one of our favorite parts:
No shipping required for standard Localist pickup orders.
You prepare the order and bring it to the designated Localist Host. We help get it the rest of the way to your customer.
Who sets my prices?
You do!
You're the Creator, and you decide what your products are worth.
Just remember to account for your time delivering the products to a Localist Host when setting your prices.
Do I need to have an established business?
No.
You can be an established small business, a weekend maker, an artist finally ready to sell your work, or a hobbyist.
We're much more interested in what you're creating and whether it's a good fit for The Localist.
Do I need a website or Etsy shop?
Nope.
If you have one, we'd love to see it as part of your application. But you don't need an existing website or online store to become a Creator.
What is a Localist Host?
Hosts are participating local businesses, like coffee shops, breweries, boutiques and other neighborhood establishments, that serve as pickup locations for Localist orders.
They're the bridge between you and your customer. No coordinating schedules: you just do the drop off & the Host holds your package until the buyer picks it up!
What happens if a customer doesn't pick up their order?
Our standard unclaimed order policy will kick into effect. The Localist team will continue to contact the buyer. Our team will pick up the package to move to a warehouse until the order can be properly fulfilled. The product may eventually be returned to you if you offer a return policy.
What happens if a customer has a problem with their order?
Customers will have a way to report order issues through The Localist.
Depending on the situation, we may work with you to determine whether a refund, replacement or another solution is appropriate.
We'll establish clear Creator policies so you know what's expected before you start selling.
The first step is applying!
Submit your application- it's free- and we will keep you updated on the next steps to selling!