Everyone’s favourite Shongweni Farmers’ and Craft Market has found its new home.
Change is often difficult to contemplate, but when it’s made with a great purpose in mind and even better support, it can become pivotal. That’s how it was with The Shongweni Farmers & Craft Market – a much-loved family favourite.
The market opened in 1998, with just 12 food and fresh produce stalls. This January the market relocated to bigger premises, to accommodate a larger demand, enabling visitors and stallholders to enjoy beautiful new opportunities.
New Beginnings
Now located near Summerveld, the market is home to more than 150 stalls that offer a wide range of fresh produce, home-made items and more. While the market may have changed homes, the ambience and strong community focus remains the same. Owned by Keith and Christine Standeaven, the market is widely considered to be one of the most authentic, and popular in the province.
Christine says that the decision to relocate was made with the community in mind. “We had decided, four years ago, to set about looking for a new site. We looked towards designing a new market that could function as a multipurpose venue. We eventually found our new site in 2012, and turned our attention towards cleaning it up and spending great care in getting the construction just right.”
Change is worth it
Moving a well-established market to a new home is never easy. Christine says that they engaged with their stallholders before the move, “We enabled each of our stallholders to come and look at the buildings and site once we were almost finished with construction.” She adds that the response from stallholders and visitors has been amazing, and sales have skyrocketed because of increased foot traffic. “Our visitors have been so positive in their feedback and just love the new setting.”
See you at the market!
Get up early on Saturday and head off to The Shongweni Farmers & Craft Market at its new site to explore and enjoy a beautiful morning with the family. Don’t forget your furry friends too, as dogs are welcome to enjoy a fun morning out too.
Experience it for yourself:
The Shongweni Farmers and Craft Market
Christine, 031 777 4686
shongwenimarket.co.za
Photographs taken by Odette from I Heart Snapshots and Jorn Sorensen
This article originally appeared in Neighbourhood, Sunday Times.
