Renegade Craft is often considered the "Big Leagues" of the indie craft world. It's curated, it's cool, and it's expensive.

We crunched the numbers from 15 different vendors who sold at Renegade Chicago (Wicker Park) this past September. The goal? To answer the question: Is the high booth fee worth it?

Is Renegade Craft Chicago worth it for vendors?

Yes — based on data from 15 vendors, Renegade Craft Chicago delivered an average effective hourly wage of $52.81/hr, well above the $30/hr profitability threshold, despite the $725+ booth fee. However, it favors high-volume, modern-aesthetic vendors. Traditional craft styles may underperform.

Booth Fee $725+

Attendance Huge

Avg Sales $2.8k

Verdict KEEP

The Atmosphere

Division Street is a vibe. The energy is undeniable. Unlike smaller church basement craft fairs, Renegade draws a crowd that is explicitly there to shop small. They aren't looking for discounts; they are looking for unique design.

Vendor Note: This is a younger crowd. If your aesthetic is "Country Kitchen" or "Traditional Quilting," you might struggle. Modern, bright, sarcastic, or minimalist work tends to overperform here.

What is the average vendor revenue at Renegade Craft?

Based on our dataset of 15 Jewelry, Print, and Apparel vendors, the average gross sales at Renegade Craft Chicago were $2,840, with an average effective hourly wage of $52.81 after all expenses.

Gross Sales (Avg): $2,840
Booth Fee (10x10): -$750
Travel/Hotel (Avg): -$400
Hours Worked (incl travel): 32 Hrs
Effective Hourly Wage: $52.81 / hr

Even with high expenses, the volume of sales pushed the hourly wage well above our recommended $30/hr threshold.

The "Who Should Apply" Checklist

Before you drop $750 on a fee, check if you fit the profile:

✓
High Volume Capacity: Can you make 200 units of stock? If you sell out by Saturday noon, you lose money.
✓
Branding on Point: Your booth needs to look like a pop-up shop. Tablecloths aren't enough.
✓
Fast Transaction Speed: You need a card reader that works fast. Lines kill sales.

Calculate Your Show Before You Apply

Run the numbers on any show you're considering. Our free Hourly Rate Calculator tells you if a show is a KEEP or a DROP before you pay the fee.

Want to understand the math behind this? Read our breakdown of how to calculate craft show profit.

Check Your Hourly Rate →