A weekly market, hosted at a local winery over weekends, is set to close down for between four and six weeks for renovations. This is according to Chris Kunn, Blaauwklippen market and deli manager.
“This is our last trading weekend,” said Kunn in the run-up to the weekend of 26 July. “We will close on 28 July.”
The Blaauwklippen Family Market has hosted around 40 vendors since opening in 2019, with plans to expand to over 50 vendors when it reopens, according to Kunn.
The Blaauwklippen Family Market hopes to host over 50 vendors when it reopens, including more fresh produce vendors, a flower stall, a cheese stall, and an olive stall. This is according to Chris Kunn, Blaauwklippen market and deli manager. PHOTO: Daniela Botha
Previously, Blaauwklippen was owned by a group of South African businessmen, according to the Blaauwklippen website.
However, the wine farm was purchased by the Gap Infrastructure Corporation (GIC) at the beginning of the year, said Kunn.
“They are really bringing this farm up to the level it should be, and it deserves to be,” said Kunn, who added that the focus is on uplifting the space.
Audrey Smith, owner of Awesome Kids Clothing and a current vendor of the market, said that she is hopeful about the changes the market will be making.
“Since [GIC] has come, we’ve seen a lot of change for the better,” said Smith. “They’ve brought in more paths and separated [the vendors’ stalls] so that there’s pathways in between. Say there’s three or four stands and you’re in the middle, you would only get exposure from the front. Now, you can get it from the front, the back, and the side.”
‘It’s not easy’
Smith, who makes most of her profit from sales at the market, said that she will continue to sell the clothing items out of her house in Strand while the renovations take place.
Renovations at the Blaauwklippen Family Market will begin on 28 July. This is according to Chris Kunn, Blaauwklippen market and deli manager. “We’re changing the whole layout of [the back of house] and beautifying the front area of the bike park,” said Kunn. PHOTO: Daniela Botha
“It’s not easy,” said a current vendor, who has been at the market for five years, and who requested anonymity out of concern for their job. “It’s been stressful and tough; if they take two months, it means two months with no income.”
“What am I going to do with my family, because that is my only income?” they said. “But maybe it will be better for the market. When the tourists come, they will see something new and more attractive.”
Many of the vendors at the Blaauwklippen Family Market have been there for years, and little has been done to renovate the environment, according to Chris Kunn, Blaauwklippen market and deli manager. “It was just unpack, pack back up, and leave,” said Kunn. “But now, with the [Gap Infrastructure Corporation], they’re investing money to uplift and upgrade this market.” PHOTO: Daniela Botha