Distillery Road Markets, on a site which is home to Zarraffa’s national headquarters, Kiwanda Cafe and Sugar Creek Smokehouse, is soon to be one of the region’s biggest markets attractions.
Founder Kenton Campbell has launched an ambitious plan to turn the site into a markets inspired by Chelsea Market in New York and Borough Market in London.
Late last week, Tonken Property Group, of which Mr Campbell is CEO, called for expressions of interest from market stall holders.
No date has been set, other than to say the new markets would open mid-2021.
The objective is to provide people a “localised, food-centric experience”.
“DRM is for all stallholders and marketers,” Mr Campbell said.
“From the heirloom gardener, florist, farmer-grown produce, street food vendors, dessert purveyors, artisans and crafters, we want to offer a huge variety of goods and produce in one vibrant location.”
On Friday and Saturday nights, the markets would host trucks and tunes, focusing on food and music. Saturday mornings would be for local artisans, makers and creators between 8am-2pm. Sunday would be a fresh food market.
“We are about attracting the region’s best growers and makers, filling intimate spaces with unique products, fresh produce and great food,” Mr Campbell said.
“Nights are for devouring delicious food made onsite by our line-up of food trucks and stalls, while also enjoying a revolving roster of local music acts with the whole family.
“Designed for people to meander and enjoy a sensory experience, the Saturday Winter Bazaar markets will showcase live local music and a curation of handcrafted goods, arts, crafts, great coffee and fresh food.
“We want friends and family to fill their market basket with the freshest local produce – fine foods, meats, cheeses, baked goods and fresh flowers, or mosey on down for a laid-back outdoor Sunday breakfast with great coffee, of course.”
With seating for up to 150 people, the DRM markets will be held weekly on the southern carpark site.
Mr Campbell has promised more:Â “This is just the beginning and there’s much more to come in 2022, as we open the entertainment precinct, more eateries and a brewery.”
Trading across four days per week, from Thursday through to Sunday, DRM will transcend what is on offer in traditional retail precincts and transform people’s expectations of what is possible from a lifestyle destination, he said.
