A
Trader tells us about his cruel brother who, when he was young and
impressionable, told him he was adopted - purchased at the Queen Victoria
Market. Now he trades here, he loves the connection, and he has forgiven his
brother.
A
Trader may be re-thinking his involvement with aggressive customers after
sustaining a broken finger on Saturday, and losing at least one days trade. The
customer was believed to be high on drugs and ended up in the back of a divvy
van. An altercation may have been difficult to avoid but either way the price
can be considerable.
Overheard
early morning in one of our food shops
Trader to Server - "Could
you hurry my breakfast? I’m on my own today."
Server - "So,
do you want a medal?"
Trader - "Ok.
But where will you pin it?"
Server - "I’ll
give you three guesses."
Misguiding Tourists - A
new sign up on the top walkway has Traders and customers confused. The map is not correctly oriented so it is very difficult to get directions unless you lie sideways.
Racing
around - Last week we noted how apprentice tipster Michael Mallon picked the
third placegetter in the Cox Plate. This week Guru Pete was back in the tipping
chair but celebrity tipster Tony P pipped the Guru with a third place in the
Derby while Pete’s tip came 4th. We wonder if Pete is feeling the
pressure.
Vehicle
safety is a concern in the aisles with bollards controlling traffic flow. An ex
Trader recalled how one of his lady customers used to call at his haberdashery
stall in J Shed to order lace and then Company Director husband would drive his
Rolls Royce Silver Ghost into the aisle during trading hours to pick up the order.
Times have changed.
Last
week’s strong winds caused one Trader to recall the time a mini tornado carried
one of his seat covers high off into the wild blue, never to be seen again.
A
Trader suggests a raft of measures to attract new Traders including one off
allocations, tables and fittings provided, free rent for up to 4 weeks, and
removal of all red tape. His theory is that there are potential new
entrepreneurs out there who just need encouragement “to give it a go.”
A
Trader notes that one way that Instagram and Facebook have changed retailing is
to allow excellence in presentation. Products and services can be made to look
extra good with some clever photography. His point is that gaps in our market
are an aspect of presentation that fails by comparison.
Our
bad (but irresistible) joke of the week – “Did you hear about the left-handed
tool shop…. It’s just not right!!!!!!”
String
Bean Alley Suffers – During a rainy day this week, the only customers in this
shot taken at noon are hurrying to get under the sheds.
String
Bean Alley Opportunity – The Melbourne International Dumpling Festival was held
last year in Federation Square but this year will be conducted in a Night
Market format at QVM on Monday 4th November, including SBA. The
event is conducted by an outside organisation and it will be interesting to see
the public response.