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Take me to Market Markets have long been a gathering place for makers of the weird and wonderful to buy and sell their heartfelt made wares
History of Markets
In medieval England and Wales a market was held once a week on a set day and in a set place. The earliest can be traced back to c.900 where they were trading institutions held at regular intervals. Before c.1200, markets were mainly held in towns and settlements on a Sunday because this was the time when people gathered together to worship at churches, and in fact they were usually held right next to the church or in the churchyard. From c.1200 onwards, a market was mainly established in the form of a grant from the King. The usual format of these grants went like this: recipient of the grant (the grantee), the day of the week which the market is to be held and the location. There were rules around establishing them so that they couldn’t interfere with trade of the existing markets already set up. If it was proved that they did interfere then they were no longer established.
Source: www.history.ac.nz
The definition of a Marketplace
INTERNATIONAL MARKETS French Markets Markets are the everyday norm in France. It is where locals go to purchase bread, fish, pastry, cheese and produce. There are over 35,000 traditional markets in France to choose from. Supermarkets are seen as the oddity while the marketplace is alive and abundant with activity. Although the main product is food there are also many artisans and craftsman selling their goods at street vendor stalls. There are various types of markets such as:
To experience France is to experience their markets so go and join in with the locals as they purchase their everyday products. Source: www.francethisway.com Hong Kong, Mongkok Mongkok Ladies Market Mongkok meaning “busy corner” is said to be Hong Kong’s most famous market. You can find anything and everything there, although its specialty lies in clothing. Flooded with fakes, everything here is produced in China so you’re sure to score yourself a good deal. There are two main parts to the market. The first is the street stalls where the vendors are regular residents. These veterans are not ‘hawkers’ so don’t expect to get a good bargain. These stalls line both sides of the street. The second part to the market is the shops themselves which offer a great range of items at a slightly larger scale. Here you can work on your bargaining skills as owners are more negotiable about prices. The hustle and bustle of this marketplace will be sure to keep you on your toes! Source: www.gohongkong.about.com Brazil, Sao Paulo’s Sao Paulo’s Magnificent Municipal Market Metaphorically described as a ‘temple of gastronomy’, this great market is known affectionately as Mercadao meaning ‘big market’. Stained-glass windows illuminate the lines of stalls and restaurants which the building houses. The building was built specifically for the purpose of housing the markets which were officially opened in 1933. The building was scheduled to be finished in the early 1930’s but this was delayed when in 1932 the Constitutionalist Revolution began and the building served as headquarters for the military and as a warehouse for arms and ammunition. The market sells everything from CDs and DVDs (whose legitimacy may be questionable) through to appliances and washing machines as well as real and fake designer goods. As you head upstairs you’ll be sure to find something to quench your appetite amongst the mass of food stalls. Source: www.flavorsofbrazil.blogspot.co.nz India, Delhi Lajpat Nagar Central Market The Lajpat Nagar Central Market is one of the oldest and most popular shopping areas in the capital. Open daily (except for Mondays) it becomes abuzz with shoppers fluttering around stalls and showrooms. A glimpse into Indian culture, everything to do with this culture can be found here. On offer are clothes, shoes, bags, accessories and home furnishings. The main attraction at the market is the Mehendiwalas who will apply beautiful henna designs to your hands with astounding speed. As with most vibrant market places in India, bargaining is a must to ensure you get a good deal. Source: www.goindia.about.com Hungary, Budapest Budapest Great Central Market This is the largest indoor market in Budapest. There is a lot of history contained within the walls of this market. A fire destroyed the roof when it was first being built in 1896 delaying its opening until the following year. When it did manage to open it was considered among the finest and most modern covered markets on the continent. One of its features was a canal running through the centre to allow goods to be delivered to market traders via a barge. Wholesale retail, and food and produce were sold in the stalls. During World War II, the building suffered extensive damage again and in a hasty effort to rebuild it, shortcuts were taken. The shortcuts resulted in the building being deemed too hazardous and it was closed in 1991. During the 1990’s the building was restored properly to its bright and colourful self. With three-stories of stalls it’s no wonder this 100 year old building is one of the busiest markets in the city! Source: www.aviewoncities.com Thailand, Ratchaburi Damnoen Saduak Floating Market This market was established for the purpose of King Rama IV wanting to connect the Taachin and Maklong rivers through a channel in an effort to protect the future economy of his people. Every day the Damnoen Saduak floating market place is full of merchants floating around in their rowing boats and exchanging goods. It is mainly produce that is sold and purchased here such as fruits and vegetables. Women can be seen cooking noodles on small gas fires at the back of their boats which make for a delightful breakfast. It is up to you whether you want to hire a boat and travel down the canal to get a good look at each stall. Or you can stroll along the banks and beckon the shopkeeper of the boats over to you. All the reviews recommend you take a boat to experience the complete exoticness of it all. The floating market is the main attraction but there are also restaurants and shops set up along the river bank which you can explore after your boat trip. Sources: www.asiatravel.com, www.hotelclub.com, www.bangkok.com NEW ZEALAND MARKETS Silo Night Market – Auckland – where is this excactly Starting from 5pm on Friday evenings there is a wide variety of stalls open here. Clothing stores, bike services, hairdressers and tarot readers are a few of things offered to visitors. The market also features weekly entertainment from local and international DJ’s. Boulevard Arts Market, Christchurch City This market is held across the road from the Arts Centre every Wednesday to Sunday. A lot of hand-made garments are crafted and on display as well as paintings from local artists, books from the Arts Centre Bookshop and hand-made jewellery. Great Car Boot Sale, Hastings This traditional-style market is held every Saturday morning. It’s free if you’re a buyer and just costs $10 to be a seller with proceeds going to local charity, Interserve. All sorts of goodies can be found here ranging from household items to home baking and collectables. It is said to be a premium community event. Remarkables Market, Queenstown This European-styled market has a beautiful back-drop of mountains for visitors to enjoy. On show are local and regional products specialising in food, art and crafts with live music to listen to as well. There is an event programme which runs throughout the summer season. Raglan Creative Market, Raglan This is held on the second Sunday of each month. Emerging talent can be found at the Raglan market with local painting, photography and musical artists showcasing their stuff. Woven flax-ware, clothing and jewellery as well as produce and homemade goods can all be found here as well. NZ Businesses that came from Markets She Chocolat The Decadent Date was the first product of She Chocolat which first appeared at Lyttelton Farmers Market. Since then they have expanded and are now wholesaling chocolates around New Zealand and online around the world. She Chocolat emerged from the combining of She Café and She Chocolate. It now also includes a mobile chocolate café and cinema onboard a 1947 double decker bus from London. They also have a hot chocolate bar at The Colombo in Christchurch City. She Chocolat still frequents the Lyttelton Farmers market every second Saturday as well as the Riccarton House and Bush market every Saturday. Their big tent offers hot chocolate, iced chocolate, pure fruit ice cream dipped in chocolate and a full range of hand crafted chocolate moments. www.shechocolat.com Mama’s Donuts This little business started off with two mums wanting to make a little extra money. After establishing a cult following with their homemade donuts in Templeview, Hamilton, they quickly gained ‘regulars’ and sold out at all the local markets. Whilst the family-focused pair were happy to continue their presence at the markets, due to the huge demand from their very satisfied customers they have opened up their first store on 67 Duke Street, Hamilton. They still sell donuts at Waikato markets such as Gordonton, Morrinsville and Matamata, as well as in their store and at a caravan in Templeview every Friday and Saturday. A lot of heart and soul is put into making sure their donuts are the REAL thing – as they say, just like mama used to make them. www.mamasdonuts.co.nz I Love Pies I love Pies was awarded best emerging business at 2012 Westpac Auckland Central Business Awards. Five years ago, Maree Glading and Jessie Stanley started off producing a handful of pies each week at the Clevedon Farmers Market and now they are producing thousands of pies a week for their business. The couple were inspired to start their business after experiencing pies that were grimy and gristly when, in their opinion they should be tender, delicious and buttery. With their background in product innovation they started making pies to escape the corporate world and raise families at the same time. I Love Pies has grown immensely and continues to do so with their goal to expand their business five times its current size within the next five years. No two pies look the same because believe it or not, each pie is still handmade! Fillings are encased in a special sour cream pastry which is then hand-crimped. There are no cutting corners for these two! Source: www.ilovepies.com Felt Felt is an online marketplace in New Zealand for handmade goods. People can sell or buy from the internet site which aims to be a platform for artists, craftspeople and designers to develop their craft into a viable enterprise. Felt was founded by Christchurch based Lucy Arnold who also is co-owner of graphic design business Board of Design. Lucy’s passion is handmade goods and she was intrigued with the thought of making someone a living from home on a small scale selling hand-made goods which was a part of the reason that she created Felt. www.felt.co.nz |
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