The new Sunday market that launched its first event on the corner of Dorp Street and Mark Street on 4 October, has a long term plan to extend the market up “the whole of Dorp Street by next July”.
This was according to Danneel Stone, owner of the Adam and Eve Collab and one of the organisers of the Dorp Street Sunday Market.
There were 30 vendors selling items ranging from fresh produce, cupcakes to vintage clothing.
Stone had proposed the idea of a street market collaboration to other surrounding businesses, including Casa Cerveza, BMT Bikeshop, Drum Restaurant and Die Malhuis.
“Trumpet Tree had a vintage market and I’ve always thought it would be cool to have a street market. We were at the point of starting, then Covid-19 happened,” he explained.
PHOTO: Daniele-B Smith
According to Stone, now the ideal time to launch a market in Stellenbosch. Nothing social has happened in Stellenbosch for a while and there is a large demand for it, said Stone.
“Stellenbosch is most beautiful when the streets are full,” said Stone. He hopes that the market will help fill the streets of Stellenbosch and get people out of their homes once again.
Eventual expansion
“There’s a huge vision” for expanding the market further, said Stone.
“The next area would include the lawn and Gino’s. This will be followed by Cafe’ Furlough, De Akker [and] then The Meeting Place,” he explained.
Next year Stone would like to begin partnering the market with Street Soiree at least once a year and close Mark Street off.
Vendor opportunities
The market also provides suppliers with the opportunity to sell products at cheaper prices because intermediaries are removed, said Stone.
PHOTO: Daniele-B Smith
“The vendors have been quite carefully selected and I think people will be pleasantly surprised by the quality,” said Chris Norton, owner of Casa Cerveza, who supplies the majority of the street market’s food and drinks.
“There’s something of everything, for everyone. There isn’t a certain type of vendor,” said Stone.
Not just another market
The central location of the market makes it walking distance for families and community members, said Norton.
“It’s more accessible for a lot of people,” Norton said. The fact that people are able to have a drink and walk home responsibly and not drive, is beneficial compared to other Stellenbosch markets, said Norton.
According to Frankie du Toit, general manager at BMT Bikeshop, this market is unique as it is currently the only street market in the Stellenbosch area. Other markets in the area also remain closed, said Du Toit.
