Columbus small business Dollhouse & Co hosts its second annual back-to-school flea market, themed Passion 4 Fashion
and inspired by 2000s Bratz dolls, on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Strongwater Events. The indoor-outdoor festival features over 35 vendors, vintage clothing, and $5 admission tickets available online or at the door.
Bratz-Inspired Y2K Aesthetic Drives Second Annual Columbus Back-to-School Festival
Nostalgia from the 2000s takes center stage in downtown Columbus this weekend as local pop-up flea market Dollhouse & Co brings back its annual back-to-school event. The one-day-only gathering, titled Passion 4 Fashion
, draws its tagline and visual direction from the classic aesthetic of Bratz dolls. The market operates at Strongwater Events, located at 401 W. Town St., running from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Sunday.
Event founder and owner Sania Mohamed points out that the festival serves a dual purpose for the local student population gearing up for the academic year. Attendees can secure apparel while supporting independent operators within the region.
Expanded Vendor Lineup Features Vintage Apparel, Tattoos, and Specialty Drinks
The market ranks among the largest events hosted by Dollhouse & Co to date, utilizing one floor of the Strongwater Events building alongside the venue’s outdoor courtyard to distribute more than 35 distinct vendors and entertainment acts. Offerings across the space span vintage and Y2K-inspired clothing, handmade jewelry, and original art.
Specialty booths add interactive elements to the retail floor. Columbus-based tattoo artist Groovy Jo Tattoo operates a flash tattoo station, while local brand pochettely sets up an Italian charm bracelet-making bar. Refreshment options include Pakistani-inspired matcha and chai lattes from cafe maani’s. Photography studio Femme Foto anchors a dedicated visual space featuring a nostalgic yearbook backdrop designed specifically for attendees capturing the school-year theme.
“It’s a back-to-school shopping experience, so keeping that in mind, [Femme Foto] was like, ‘We should do a yearbook backdrop, because I feel like that’s so cute and nostalgic,’” “She got the backdrop. It’s awesome. I’m just so excited to see people do that.”
Music and Marginalized Business Representation Shape Community Focus
Entertainment for the festival splits between two DJs performing across the venue’s zones: DJ Ballzy and Cincinnati-based DJ ENVY. Abi Hartzell, an Ohio State graduate who performs under the stage name ENVY, has contributed DJ sets to Dollhouse & Co markets for two years. Hartzell curates a playlist geared toward the event’s aesthetic.
“I think the ‘Passion 4 Fashion’ fest gives Bratz vibes, so I’m definitely going for something more Y2K [inspired],” “It’s mostly music for the girls.”
Beyond the music, Mohamed emphasizes intentional curation. The vendor roster intentionally highlights local businesses owned by people of color, queer entrepreneurs, and women, mirroring the diverse representation found in the event’s doll-line inspiration.
“All the vendors that we work with, you’ll see they’re within these marginalized groups, which is really cool to highlight.”
Ticketing, Access, and the Broader Local Market Landscape
Admission to the Passion 4 Fashion festival costs $5, with tickets available for purchase either at the door or directly through the organizer’s website. The recurring pop-ups fill a recognized gap for Gen Z consumers in Columbus seeking spaces centered on 2000s culture and sustainable retail habits.
As independent retail markets continue to draw crowds across regional venues, specialized events like Sunday’s gathering demonstrate how organizers blend nostalgia, social consciousness, and community building into localized shopping experiences.