The Dorp Street Sunday market has scaled down while it awaits approval from Stellenbosch Municipality for all vendors to be able to trade again on the town’s main road.
This is according to Leani Breedt, the market organiser.
The market was inactive for a month while awaiting approval, according to Breedt. It reopened on 20 July, after being relocated to Casa Cerveza’s courtyard, where it was first established in 2020, said Breedt.
“It is quite serendipitous because the market has come full circle,” said Ilva Suzanne Mackay, owner of A Good Find Vintage, a clothing stall at the market.
While the Dorp Street Sunday market is waiting for approval from Stellenbosch Municipality, it has moved to Casa Cerveza’s courtyard. This is according to Leani Breedt, the market organiser. The market is scheduled to return to Casa Cerveza’s courtyard on 3 August, said Breedt. PHOTO: Abigail Baard
Back to where it all began
The market was closed due to complaints about sidewalk obstructions that Stellenbosch Municipality received, said municipality spokesperson Stuart Grobbelaar.
“Previously, shop owners advertised and exhibited in front of their shops without hindering pedestrians. Now, municipal property is being used for a formal market without [formal] permission,” he said.
Upon hearing of the market’s temporary closure, Chris Norton, owner of Casa Cerveza, approached the market organisers to work together again, said Breedt.
Because the restaurant’s courtyard is on a private business premises, the market is able to host stalls without needing approval from the municipality, said Breedt.
“After the market shut down, I really wanted it back as it gave very dull Sundays a great vibe and energy,” said Norton.
It also brings “huge value to all the businesses of Dorp Street,” said Norton, who claimed that Casa Cerveza’s turnover declined on Sundays without the market.
“It is great to have it back,” he said.
The Dorp Street Sunday market has moved to Casa Cerveza’s courtyard, while it waits for necessary approval from Stellenbosch Municipality, said Leani Breedt, the market’s organiser. This is where the market originally began in 2020 when it was first established, said Breedt. . PHOTO: Abigail Baard
Awaiting approval from the municipality
The market organisers are currently working with Stellenbosch Municipality to get the street market back up, said Breedt.
“The [market] has grown significantly and has now become a formal market on municipal property, necessitating formal application and approval processes,” said Grobbelaar.
“Applications for market permits have been submitted to the [department of] Local Economic Development (LED).”
Breedt acknowledged that the market has grown since its original approval in 2021, when the head of law enforcement confirmed that the market could operate, provided it remained confined to existing business premises, according to Breedt.
Balancing the benefits of the market with the rights and needs of the community is crucial, said Grobbelaar. “[Stellenbosch Municipality] look[s] forward to once again seeing the buzz of the Dorp Street Market after approvals are granted.”
It is scheduled to return to Casa Cerveza’s courtyard this Sunday, 3 August, and will continue to trade there every Sunday, provided weather conditions are favourable.
The market will return to Dorp Street when municipal approval is granted, but will continue to utilise the courtyard of Casa Cerveza once approval is granted, said Breedt.
Kobus Avenant, owner of 4Ever Gems, a jewellery and gemstone business has traded at the Dorp Street market from the start of its establishment in 2020. He talks about the market’s relocation to Casa Cerveza, as it awaits necessary approval from the municipality. AUDIO: Kobus Avenant