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MOSSEL BAY NEWS - The Great Brak River flea market, held on the first Saturday of each month, has become extremely popular over the last few months.
The market is on Charles Street, opposite the Pick n Pay, and alongside the Great Brak River.
PHOTO GALLERY: The Great Brak River flea market
For Melanie Sonnekus, of the Independent Entrepreneurs' Association (IEA), which oversees the flea markets in the Mossel Bay area, it seems as if all roads lead to Great Brak.
Sonnekus, who is the markets co-ordinator, says: "The are are now 150 stalls at the Great Brak market. It has gone from strength to strength. Before Covid-19 there were about 100 stalls at the market.
"There is an amazing number of visitors. Stallholders are doing well. People come from all over the Mossel Bay area to the market on Saturday."
As an example, Sonnekus says an organised group of senior citizens from George came to the market on Saturday. "They were so bowled over. They had a fabulous day." She received a thank-you letter from them afterwards.
The market comprises a food court and over the bridge on the other side, a normal craft market.
Sonnekus says the market has a special atmosphere, with it being at the river. A singer entertains. Sonnekus says: "It's different from other markets. Everyone is laughing, singing and walking with a swing in their step." It's the good choice of music the musician plays, she says.
In December, the market will be held every Saturday except for the second Saturday of the month.
Farmers' Market
The Farmers' Market at the Goods Shed in Bland Street, Mossel Bay, has not been as successful as was hoped, Sonnekus notes. She says the IEA is mulling over strategies to make it more popular. It takes place on the third Saturday of every month.
The IEA is a non-profit organisation, working in collaboration with the municipality, which assists informal traders.
The Hartenbos Boeremarket NPO organises the flea market at the Carney building in Hartenbos, which takes place on the second and last Saturdays of every month.
Chairman of this NPO, Charles Schutte, says holidays are busy at the market, for example the October school holiday. "We have 120 members - stall vendors.
Most important is that we only have two stalls of the same product - two hamburger stalls, two pancake stalls - otherwise we have too many of the same vendors and no one makes money.
"Out of holiday seasons, the locals attend the market, they the economy is squeezing them and they're not spending that much. Before, they would each buy a hamburger; now buy one and share it.
"But during holiday season, the holiday-makers spend money as usual."
Schutte explains: "The committee and management of the NPO don't make any profit. Profit is made by the vendors. We rent the venue from the ATKV. We just cover our expenses."
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