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MORE THAN 800 visitors flocked to Bahrain's first open-air Saturday market held at Amwaj Marina, reports Anasuya Kesavan.
Vendors, many whom do not retail from malls or dedicated outlets, found space to display and sell their wares to the island's residents and visitors who flocked to the event.
Coasters, placemats, bottle holders, luggage tags, handicrafts, paintings, photographs, jewellery, clothes, abayas and jalabiyas, designer-party sandals, and cup cakes and much more were among the items to be found across the 75 stalls.
The delightful weekend weather helped attracted a large crowd. Amwaj residents Robert and Jeanette Sleeman were impressed with the entire set up. Mr Sleeman, who only moved to the kingdom in March, said: "It is great to see lots of local crafts and producers in an open market setting. It is a great idea and we have been looking to buy Christmas presents. Shopping away from the malls and in the open air is an added joy."
The stall holders were equally happy with the sales and enquiries they received. A delighted Deepali Mehta, proprietor of Indian Heritage Craft, which displayed a range of antiques, gifts, hand-painted wooden articles and glass items for sale, said: "It has done much better than I expected."
Deepali's collections from Rajasthan in India had prices that started at BD2 and went up to BD190.
The market event attracted cake-making entrepreneur Noor Al Dosery, who runs Mini's Cupcakes from her home in Muharraq. She said: "I came because many people come to spend their weekend here. I work from home and am hoping to increase my customer base with this fair."
Organiser Nouf Saleh Al Pachachi from Meritas Ventures said the market had attracted a number of visitors from outside the island who she believes were drawn by the idea of shopping outdoors and a different concept. She said: "Originally we had opened spaces for 50 vendors but the excellent response resulted in an increase in the number of stalls.
"We are overwhelmed with the outcome and will now be holding the next open-air market on the second Saturday of next month. We have already booked 41 stalls and are expecting to have a house full very soon."
The next market will be staged on January 8 and will be followed by markets on the first Saturdays in February and March and the final one will be held in April. Entry to the market is free. To register for the January market call 16030600 Sundays to Thursdays from 8am to 5pm.
