A family-friendly market at last
THE Western Cape has become home to more than 90 weekend markets, each with its own flavour and ambience.
In the clutter of stalls, crafts and food trucks, it’s often mission impossible to find a market that is child-friendly and doesn’t neglect the needs of adults looking to relax on the weekend.
The Oude Molen Market, off Alexandra Road in Pinelands, is two weeks old and suits the family-friendly brief to a tee.
Shireen Onia and Michelle Page wanted to create a food market space that included music, great dishes as well as a real kid-friendly space where parents could rest assured their children were taken care of.
Nestling in the middle of the Oude Molen Eco Village, they discovered the ideal spot for their market and a huge kiddies’ play area in front of the community hall.
Onia says it’s a match made in heaven for them. “The gentleman of the foundation knows us, so we partnered with them and agreed that the market would be a viable option.”
Page says that many of the vendors at their market mirror the “Yes We Can” ethos, and just needed a platform to showcase their talents.
The WOW Yummy smoothies are a great natural energy boost and their range of drinks includes a Ginger Royal smoothie which is a refreshing drink before you tuck into the eats on offer.
The Pitstop snack bar makes boerewors and hot dogs, which are standard market nibbles, but then the Eezi St Pizza food truck is also there with myriad pizza flavours to satisfy your cravings.
The dedicated children’s play area has a jumping castle, sand pit and kiddies’ play furniture and toys.
The market is only two weeks old and, having been launched in the peak festive season, it could get caught up in the holiday hype. But it’s a family-friendly space that should not go unnoticed or unvisited.
“We’ve tried to think of everything,” says a proud Onia.