Two of Stellenbosch’s most prominent markets have closed within months of each other, cutting off trading opportunities for many local entrepreneurs.
The Root44 market closed indefinitely at the end of June, while the Dorp Street Sunday Market closed in February.
Root44, located on Audacia Farm at the corner of the R44 and Annandale Road in Stellenbosch, operated for 15 years, providing a platform for small businesses to trade and musicians to perform.
The Root44 market has been indefinitely closed since June due to disputes between the municipality and Root44 management, according to management team member Tarryn Barnard. PHOTO: Kuhle Mangana
“For many, Root44 was far more than a place of business – it was the foundation of their livelihoods. The decision to suspend trading was therefore one of the most difficult decisions we have ever had to make,” said Tarryn Barnard, a member of the management team of Root44.
“The closure was the result of years of regulatory uncertainty, planning delays, restrictive operating conditions and the inability to fully utilise the property as originally intended,” said Barnard. These disputes were between Stellenbosch Municipality and Root44 management.
She added that these factors, combined with increasing financial pressure, made it impossible to continue operating the market on a sustainable basis.
The closure has since affected more than 100 independent traders, including suppliers, employees, entertainers, service providers, and small businesses, said Barnard.
The Root44 market in Stellenbosch, which has now closed down, was a popular destination for local and international visitors. PHOTO: Kuhle Mangana
Much like the closure of Root44, the Dorp Street Sunday Market closure left vendors without a source of income. According to the market’s organiser Leani Breedt, more than 80 vendors were affected, with 90% relying on the market for most of their earnings.
“Sundays are very quiet in Stellenbosch [… ], so the [market] added an extra day of income for the establishments and restaurants – who we collaborated with and advertised weekly – in Dorp Street, in order for them to employ more staff and make a higher overall turnover,” said Breedt.
The Dorp Street Sunday Market started running in October 2020 and experienced its first closure in June 2024, as the municipality received complaints about sidewalk obstructions, according to SMF News.
They started operating again in January 2026 after they had a meeting with Jeremy Fasser, the executive mayor of Stellenbosch, about the way forward. A month after that, the municipality instructed them to shut down again, which Breedt described as “abrupt”.
On the last Sunday at the Dorp Street Sunday Market, in Stellenbosch, before it closed its doors indefinitely on 22 February 2026. PHOTO: Dylan Lackay
Stellenbosch Municipality spokesperson Stuart Grobbelaar did not respond to repeated requests for comment from SMF News via email, call, and WhatsApp.
Among the questions put to him was whether the municipality is working towards introducing new markets to support the small businesses affected by the closures.
Both markets contributed to Stellenbosch, not just economically but culturally too, attracting community members as well as tourists.
“[It is] sad to see Root44 come to an end […] it was such an easy activity and one of those places that made for a fun day out, so it’s definitely a place I’ll miss visiting,” said a frequent Root44 visitor, Michalin Stoffels.
“I also can’t help but wonder what effect the closure will have on all the vendors there, especially since so many of them were local businesses,” added Stoffels.