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Call him a dreamer.

Glass artist Zeke Vantreese looks at a vacant storefront downtown and sees a lot more than just empty space. He sees the potential for making someone's dreams come true.

When he strolls past Natty Greene's, Artmongerz or Just Be, he doesn't see just a brewery, an art gallery or gift shop. They are someone's dreams fulfilled -- on South Elm Street. Vantreese has an affinity for the stretch of downtown from Washington to West Lee streets. He wants more people to explore the art galleries, antiques stores and restaurants there, and he's doing something about it.

With help from other like-minded locals, he has organized the first Indie Market, which will be part of First Friday festivities in Greensboro.

The market will be in the parking lot at South Elm Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. More than 30 vendors will offer art, crafts, food, jewelry and vintage goods.

Another Indie Market is planned for October's First Friday event, and Vantreese says more will likely follow if it's successful.

The idea evolved from conversations Vantreese had with other Greensboro artists he had contacted through Etsy, an online marketplace where people can buy and sell handmade items. The group meets monthly at The Green Bean on South Elm Street in Greensboro. One of the things they discuss is the expense of renting a booth at most craft fairs. It can cost about $100, which can be a lot of money for a small vendor, Vantreese says. They formed the idea of banding together to produce their own craft fair, and things just fell into place.

But Vantreese, who lives in nearby Glenwood, wants this to be more than just a monthly appearance. He wants to find ways to include and promote other South Elm Street businesses at the market.

"We want to be a part of the neighborhood, not these intruders who just come down on First Friday," he says. "We want to make it good for the whole neighborhood."

He will distribute First Friday fliers and maps at the Indie Market, and signs will promote sales or entertainment sites that evening.

This sense of community-building is what excites Lee Mortensen most about Indie Market's arrival on the First Friday scene.

Mortensen, vice president of Downtown Greensboro, which promotes First Fridays, says the market epitomizes what the event is about.

It's a crossroads of artists and craftspeople specializing in a variety of media.

They are independent, small-business owners, producing locally made products.

And it's bringing people downtown.

About 5,000 people attended First Friday in August, and Mortensen expects even more Friday night.

Eventually, Vantreese would love to expand the Indie Market. He calls it "a big grandiose dream."

"... If other businesses are into it, maybe closing the streets and having vendors all along (Elm) street," he says. "But we're not there yet. Baby steps first."

Just call him a dreamer.

Contact Tina Firesheets at 373-3498 or tina.firesheets@news-record.com