by Caleb Hale
CARBONDALE, Ill. — The doors are wide open to the SIU Alumni Association’s online marketplace, Saluki Market, which is now taking applications for a wide variety of new vendors.
Since it launched in December, the Saluki Market has welcomed thousands of online visitors. The early cohort of pilot vendors has been instrumental in helping the SIU Alumni Association build a strong platform that creates opportunities for Southern Illinois University Carbondale students, alumni, and friends of the university to showcase and sell their products.
The platform serves as a curated digital storefront, designed to highlight products sold by members of the Saluki community. Whether they’re handmade goods and artwork, specialty products, branded merchandise, or even a handful of tasty treats, Saluki Market brings together a diverse range of offerings under a one-stop shop that encourages everyone to “Shop SIU First” when considering their next purchase.
With this new vendor push, the association has also streamlined the onboarding process, making it easier than ever for prospective sellers to apply and begin listing their products.
“This is about opening doors,” Molly Hudgins, SIU Alumni Association executive director said. “Saluki Market isn’t just a place to sell — it’s a platform to be seen, to grow a brand, and to stay connected to the SIU community in a meaningful way. We’re always looking for ways to make joining easier and inviting more people to be part of something that reflects the innovation and talent that comes out of Southern Illinois University.”
The results can be lucrative, as evidenced by Michael Smith, a 2011 alumnus, and Krista Daniel, who graduated in 2015, the co-founders of Fired Up Jellies and Jams.
The two joined the market as pilot vendors without much experience in online sales. “Prior to this shift, we would only have one or two orders every couple of months on our website,” Smith said. “Now, since we launched on the Saluki Market, we have had over 30 orders in two months. This partnership has been a game changer for us.”
Saluki Market is open to:
- Current SIU students.
- SIU alumni.
- Friends and supporters of the university.
Vendors benefit from increased visibility through the association’s established network, as well as the credibility that comes with being part of an officially supported SIU platform, powered by Shopify.
Hudgins says Saluki Market is an extension of the SIU experience. Each vendor represents a story or a connection tied back to the university. By bringing these businesses together, the association continues its mission to foster engagement, support alumni success, and strengthen the broader Saluki network.
Prospective vendors and shoppers can learn more by visiting www.salukimarket.com.