Market
service centenary celebration - The Mark family are celebrating 100 years of
R&H Hire Box Storage service to their customers at QVM. The service was
originally established 2 weeks after the end of World War 1.
Slow start
to Summer Night Market – traders reported a slow start to the Wednesday night
market event with rainy conditions not helping and the Noodle Night Market at
Birrarung Marr creating a clash of events. There were some changes to last year
with the main stage area being moved from the Peel St. end of the market
because of new noise restrictions. Participants will be looking forward to the
following Wednesdays for a change of fortune.
Etsy market
looks to success – the weekend Etsy craft market at the top of C Shed seemed to
be well attended with at least one participant reporting bumper sales. Etsy
have their own inbuilt social media following which no doubt helped.
You would
never guess which countries give one of our traders his best source of international
customers – Kuwait and New Caledonia. Kuwait, because students on short stays
here just love our city and take home memories of Melbourne, and New Caledonia
since Australian airlines opened up direct flights to Melbourne.
No minute of
silence – a few traders have now mentioned the absence of a minutes silence on
the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th
month to celebrate Remembrance Day, the end of World War 1. In the recent past
the market PA would announce a minutes silence at the appropriate time. With
Remembrance services around the country breaking attendance records it seems a
little strange that QVM would miss the occasion.
PS - Oops, we got this wrong. We have been advised that a minutes silence was observed on 11th November although clearly the PA system is not working adequately in a number of areas. The complaints came from K Shed, Rear K Shed and String Bean Alley.
And just for the record the following was read out -
"Good Morning and welcome to Queen Victoria Market. Today, on the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month, we commemorate Remembrance day. We will observe a minutes’ silence to remember those who have served and sacrificed their lives in all wars and armed conflicts past and present. On the 100th anniversary of Remembrance Day, on behalf of QVM traders and management, please join us in a minutes’ silence."
PS - Oops, we got this wrong. We have been advised that a minutes silence was observed on 11th November although clearly the PA system is not working adequately in a number of areas. The complaints came from K Shed, Rear K Shed and String Bean Alley.
And just for the record the following was read out -
"Good Morning and welcome to Queen Victoria Market. Today, on the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month, we commemorate Remembrance day. We will observe a minutes’ silence to remember those who have served and sacrificed their lives in all wars and armed conflicts past and present. On the 100th anniversary of Remembrance Day, on behalf of QVM traders and management, please join us in a minutes’ silence."
"They shall not grow old as we who are left grow old, age shall not
weary them nor the years condemn, at the going down of the sun and in
the morning we will remember them. Lest we Forget. Thank you for your
attention and enjoy the rest of your day here at
Queen Victoria Market.”
Trader gift
buying – a trader has suggested that traders should do all their Christmas
shopping within the market and perhaps we could all offer discounts to our
neighbours. Mino from JLP would like to start the ball rolling with a minimum
20% off to traders on all his fine leather goods.
A trader
arrived at work early one day this week to find a light which normally assisted
while she set up their stall had stopped working. She sent a message to
facilities and within a few minutes an electrician arrived to replace the
globes. It was a coincidence, but for a moment our trader thought this was
responding to trader requests on steroids.
People’s
Panel Report – Melbourne newspapers seem to have an idea of the outcome of the
QVM People’s Panel although the full report has not yet been made publicly
available. Apparently some good work was done by the 40 or so participants so
we look forward to reading the full report when, and if, it becomes available.
One trader
says that the last 2 weeks of November are often his best trading time of the
year with a bit of a slip in sales closer to Christmas as alternative shopping
options like shopping centres get into full gear. That surge hasn’t happened so
far in November and he is wondering what surprises 2018 Christmas trading will
bring.