A market’s hope for locals to support locals

As the winter breeze takes over Melbourne, Docklands Promenade Twilight Market has transitioned to a day market.

Now taking place on the third Saturday of the month between 11am and 3pm at NewQuay Promenade, market organiser Grace Pryor said the new time slot had already seen the growth of varying clientele, something she hoped would continue.

“All clientele is welcome and the stallholders have a lot to offer,” Ms Pryor said.

“It’s a beautiful setting with the water right there and all the stallholders are so loving and provide so much culture.”

After the first two Saturday markets in May and June, Ms Pryor noticed that there were still many people in the local community of Docklands who were unaware of the market.

With the next market day coming up on July 16, she is relying on Docklanders to spread the word and come together to support their fellow locals.

“Come down and support your locals and buy from your locals. A lot of the stalls are run by local Melbourne residents, and they are small family businesses and supporting them is so important,” she said.

“We also have a mix of people who have struggled with mental health, health conditions and isolation during COVID, and they have honed into a talent of theirs and started these stalls.”

Through the growth of the market and the support of locals, the plan of the market is for it to be able to actively support the Kinds of Happiness charity, through the Lifestyle Markets Australia Inc.

The charity is focused on creating a happy and healthy environment for all through supporting rural and regional youth from challenged backgrounds.

Ms Pryor said they were also currently in the process of reaching out to the City of Melbourne to help make the market a place “for all residents and visitors of Melbourne”.

As well as any interested buskers wanting to provide entertainment, Docklands Promenade Twilight Market is asking for any local businesses wanting to get involved to reach out. •

For more information: lifestylemarketsaustraliainc.org