Market on Main Pretoria

Snor City got sexy in June this year when the new Market on Main Pretoria was launched. We went last week to check it out...what an amazing initiative and a great space! The market area is filled with light and the quality of vendors is the same that you would expect at the Jozi version. There is a well-designed outdoor courtyard space with sculptures. This market is also family-friendly with plenty of space for the kids to play and to Finn's enjoyment they also provided scooters (the plastic type for kids).

012central, a City Property initiative, is proud to be involved with the market.  City Property is the driving force behind our Capital's urban renewal programme and has invested in bringing people back to the city. By changing the perception of the CBD with partnerships like Market On Main, they want to facilitate reasons to be in the city and to love the city centre again.

DATE: Every Saturday

TIME: 10:00-15:00

VENUE: 012central, 385 Helen Joseph Street, Pretoria Central

PARKING: State Theatre or 216 Sisulu St (cnr Sisulu & Helen Joseph - take the first parking entrance and go up to the second parking level)

ENTRANCE: R 20 per person

ENQUIRIES: pta@marketonmain.co.za

Boeremark. Revisited.

Previous post and introduction to the Boeremark here.

A few thoughts to add:

- Go early. Be there before the hipsters even think of waking up, that is between 05:30 and 06:00.

- Ladies, you do not need to wear make-up or do your hair. If you happen to meet Mr Perfect at the market he will love you for the hardcore woman you are and not for what you look like...

- Go after it rained. Wear good old-fashioned gum-boots. Your Hunters will definitely be a muddy mess and they will actually be very uncool in this environment.

- Bring your poochies. They will love it and you will get lots of attention.

- Strap the baby in a carrier - the terrain is quite rough and a pram will not suffice.

- Be friendly. Greet the people. Laugh at their jokes. Taste their produce.

- For more information and directions, click here.

Florem Forum

I've always had a love for plants. I feel peaceful when I work with them and their resilience never stops to amaze me. I would not say I'm the best gardener and this winter was an exceptionally dry season - literally and figuratively.

But young Marissa Engelbrecht truly inspires me with her work. She does what one would call...string gardening. Go have a look at her blog and visit her stand at the Capital Urban Market, 8 September 2013.

The Good Mood and Food market

I'm always in support of authenticity, of small scale and of home-grown. This is why I love markets so much. The smaller, the better. The Good Mood and Food Market is the brain-child of Peter Savage, the bread maker whom I blogged about here. It is a tiny street market in Melville street that sells anything home-made: from fresh pasta to coffee to sweet treats to exquisite breads.

When you are in the 'hood next time, pop in, have a coffee and chat to Pete and his friends about good food.

Every Saturday 09:00 - 11:00

131 Melville street

If you're interested in having a table there, please email Peter: petersavage@mweb.co.za

Kamersvol Tannies

The Kamersvol Geskenke event was hosted at the Open Window campus this past weekend. My mom and I went on Saturday and it was packed to say the least. We had loads of fun and saw very nice locally produced goods. Pretoria has come a long way since the traditional Vlooimark. Here are a few things that caught my eye:

There were so many images to choose from - the event was hosted in a really beautiful space and all the products, food and drinks were clearly made with love and pride.

Vintage Design Fair @+27Cafe

Oooh, the Vintage Design Fair is on right now. I'm so glad I went, it was one of the best ways to begin a Saturday. The people are friendly, the merchandise is inspiring, the music is beautiful and the coffee is great. Here are a few glimpses, but you should go - it's local, it's Pretoria, it's pretty. It's still on tomorrow between 9am and 2pm.

Modeontwerpers

This guy here is called Vanmerwe and he is a very talented musician. Go see him whenever you can. Love his folky style.

My loot: Pretty wooden heart earrings from i feel_________

A wooden heart from Mill'k

And some ribbon from the fair itself.

Saturday morning in Jozi

Yesterday we went to Juta street in the heart of Braamfontein. There is some serious urban regeneration taking place in this part of town and this makes my heart beat a little faster. My husband's blog will feature a more comprehensive look at the architecture and other cool shops in Juta street. My post here will focus more on the Neighbourgoods market. These guys are doing something amazing. It started in Cape Town and finally Jozi is also blessed with the presence of responsible organizers, as well as talented and mind-blowing vendors. The space is amazing - tucked safely into the urban fabric, with really nice get-together spaces, clever design details, aesthetically pleasing furniture and good finishes.
This quote from their website says it all:

The Neighbourgoods Market is an independent initiative founded in 2006 by entrepreneurs Justin Rhodes and Cameron Munro, whose aim is to revive and reinvent the Public Market as a civic institution.

Thanks to my liefie, who took some of the photos below whilst I was fiddling with my new toy...more on that later.

This market will be open every Saturday from 09:00am to 15:00. Go there, experience city life the way it should be.