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How to Build a Temporary Stall

You can build a temporary market stall with only a little knowledge of basic carpentry. A stall may serve both as a retail counter -- where you can cut, wrap up or weigh items -- and a merchandise display. A temporary stall will keep your wares protected from the weather and, if attractively decorated, give you an edge on the competition. Stalls are suitable for farmer's markets, garage sales and flea markets.

Things You'll Need

Decorating table
2-by-4-inch lumber
Tape measure
Saw
Drill
C-clamps
Rope
Tarpaulin
Craft scissors
Safety pins
Tablecloth

Instructions

- 1
  Position an unfolded decorating table so it is freestanding on flat ground. Measure the height of the table with a tape measure. Saw four lengths of 2-by-4-inch lumber so they are each 4 feet plus the height of the table in length.
- 2
  Drill a hole through the four lengths of wood 1 inch from the end of each. Turn each section of wood 90 degrees, and drill a further hole 1 inch below the first. The holes should not meet and run at right angles to one another. Each hole should be just large enough to pass a length of rope through.
- 3
  Stand up one section of lumber vertically on the ground, and position it so that it stands next to one of the legs of the table. Ensure the drilled end is up. Use two C-clamps to fasten it to the leg. Position one C-clamp near to the ground and one just beneath the table surface. Clamp the three remaining sections of lumber to the other three legs in the same way. Each section of lumber should be running vertically up the side of the four corners of the table.
- 4
  Connect each of the facing pairs of holes in the vertical sections of lumber with a length of rope. Use four lengths of rope: two running along the length of the table and two running along the sides. Pass the ropes through the holes, and tie them off on the outside. Your four ropes should make a rectangle. They needn't be pulled very tightly but should be approximately horizontal.
- 5
  Measure the width and length of your temporary stall's tabletop with a tape measure. Use craft scissors to cut a rectangle of tarpaulin that is 8 inches wider and 8 inches longer than the tabletop. Then cut a 4-inch square from each of the corners of your rectangle of tarpaulin.
- 6
  Throw the tarpaulin over the ropes held in place by the vertical sections of lumber. Each of the cutout square corners should sit snugly around each upright. Fold the excess tarpaulin over each of the ropes, and use safety pins to fix it to itself from the underside. This will create a temporary canopy for your stall.
- 7
  Place a tablecloth over the tabletop, and set out your merchandise. When the sale is over, unfasten the canopy, unclamp the uprights and fold the table away.

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