UKIAH, CA., 3/30/25 – At a whopping 6 feet, 7 inches, Mendocino County resident Nick Johnson towers over most people he meets. Johnson, the lead organizer of The Lot on Main, an outdoor arts and music event in downtown Ukiah, is kind, eager, and passionate when speaking about his community and the various projects he is working on.
Johnson grew up in Mendocino County and graduated Willits High School when he was about 18. He then left for the University of California, Santa Barbara, before eventually returning home to be closer to his friends and family.
While living in Southern California, Johnson studied architecture but didn’t feel comfortable learning the subject in a formal academic setting. While taking classes and considering what he wanted to do with his future, he picked up shifts at a bar in downtown Santa Barbara. That experience, he said, taught him how to make delicious drinks and also how to run a business.
“In Santa Barbara, my boss took me under his wing, and taught me tricks and hacks of serving,” Johnson said in an interview. “At that point, I was thinking that I was going to learn more from him than from going to college.”
After returning home to Northern California, Johnson picked up bartending shifts at local haunts like The Munchery in Willits and also began teaching construction classes at Mendocino College, a subject he felt more passionate about than architecture.
In August 2022, before launching the inaugural The Lot on Main, Johnson and his mother held a yard sale at the outdoor location — a large parking lot at the corner of West Standley and Main streets in downtown Ukiah — to sell their family’s old belongings. After the sale, Johnson realized the space had the potential for much more.
“When my mom and I had our yard sale, it was during Ukiah’s First Friday Art Walk,” Johnson said. “The streets were like a ghost town. I thought to myself, this needs to change. I know businesses are struggling, but let’s make it so at least once a month, or whenever we can, businesses are packed and there’s lots of people in the streets.”
One of Johnson’s other influences was the vibrant art and culture scene in New Mexico, where he spent a great deal of his 20s living, traveling, and experiencing the Southwest’s nightlife. While in Albuquerque, he attended several outdoor markets on city streets and hoped to recreate that atmosphere in the small town of Ukiah.
“Every first Friday we would go out and the scene was really good in Albuquerque,” he said. “Everyone comes together, they shut down the streets, and there’s cops to make sure people are safe. That was sort of my dream expectation for The Lot. Everyone’s out, and it’s just a party in the streets.”
The Lot on Main’s official opening was in September 2022, which Johnson calls “Year 0” of the festival. He explained that when the festival first began, only about six vendors sold art and other goods, but now The Lot allows up to 20 vendors to sell their wares to the community. The festival also features artisan food trucks, a local DJ and a live band that Johnson selects himself.
One vendor that has been selling at The Lot on Main is Clutts Co., a Ukiah-based vintage clothing and record shop. The store will be offering a special “$5 dig pile” at The Lot for vintage lovers.
While The Lot on Main has evolved over the past couple of years, Johnson hopes to see it grow even more.
“I’m in the process of getting a nonprofit going under The Lot’s name, so we can get donations for the event more easily,” Johnson stated. He added that he wants to expand the market into other streets of downtown Ukiah. “There are two parking lots behind Mac Nab’s and W Real Estate where people can park, and I want to shut that down and see people with drinks in their hands and enjoying the arts. I just want that freedom.”
But The Lot on Main also faces challenges. Johnson, who has been using his own resources to sustain the festival, started a GoFundMe campaign to keep the art market running. If he raises enough funds, he can buy The Lot’s location — a large outdoor parking lot — from its current owners with a $50,000 down payment and establish a permanent spot for the festival.
“I’ve raised some money, the community has donated about $1,000,” he said. “I’ve also used my savings to try to open a nonprofit, and I do need assistance. The festival makes no money, and I have to spend about $500 a month to keep everything going.”
He explained that even though it’s expensive and difficult work, he knows the community needs more events to highlight local artists, musicians and other entrepreneurs, especially given Ukiah’s struggling economy. He said it brings him joy to see the community gather and have fun.
“It’s a community service, it fills my soul in that regard,” Johnson said. “But I am working harder than ever to keep this event afloat.”
Johnson notes that seeing people come together to enjoy art and support local businesses makes the process worthwhile. He also hopes to get more downtown storefronts involved in The Lot on Main.
“I want 100 vendors. I want people to show up. My goal is accessibility—no sign-ups, no vendor fees,” Johnson exclaimed. “I want this to be something that fills up the whole town. I also want Corner Gallery to be selling things. I want Ukiah Brewing Company to be swamped. We’ve got all the ingredients; all we need is for the community to show up and have fun.”
The Lot on Main is held every first Friday of the month, April through October from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The event is located at the corner of West Standley and Main streets, in the heart of downtown Ukiah. There is still room for vendors to apply, and they can learn more by messaging The Lot on Main’s Instagram page or reaching out on Facebook.
You can make a donation to The Lot on Main by clicking this link.