Friday evening market:a growing phenomena

Although Saturdays have long been established as the traditional market day in Dominica, Friday evening markets have been becoming something of a phenomenon in recent times. A growing number of farmers, vendors and shoppers appear more inclined to conduct their market activities between late Friday afternoon and the early hours of Saturday morning.

As early as 3:00pm, farmers and vendors set up their food stands and pick up trucks on apposite sides of Hanover Street and River Bank in order to cash in big-time on the ‘drive-thru’- shopping of Friday afternoon commuters. However, the vast majority of the farmers participating in the Friday evening trade arrives and set up at the market between 7:00pm –9:00pm. By 10:00pm, one can expect to find on average anywhere between 20 – 30 stalls open for business. Farmers arriving after 11:00pm usually settle down for catnaps in preparation for the more robust Saturday market.

Friday afternoon commuters supply the market with a steady stream of shoppers up until 6:00pm. A new wave of shoppers starts arriving from about 8:00pm. Typically these are young to middle-age shoppers. The proposed July-opening of a Kentucky Fried Chicken on the corner of Hanover Street and River Bank is likely to increase the flow of human traffic to the market. The impact on business for the market could be enormous.

But what exactly are the considerations driving the rising interests in Friday evening markets? To avoid the hassle and scramble for a prime curbside location on Saturdays, farmers come to the market early on Friday afternoon to pick out and secure their spot. But for others the issue is strictly business. “Business is good’” said one farmer from Salisbury. “There is far less competition than on Saturdays, therefore you sell out your food faster.” Another farmer, a lady from Grandbay added, “I’m usually through by 4:00am. That way I can do my business in town Saturday morning and then go back home to take care of my kids.”

Market patrons feel that thy get better deals on Fridays. According to one young man “the fruits and vegetables are definitely fresher and besides, you get better value for your money.” Others however seem to just enjoy the ambience of the Friday evening market. “This is romantic. We enjoy doing this; it gives us something to do and somewhere to go on Fridays” noted one couple. Still others say they do it to avoid the overcrowding and hassle of the Saturday markets.

The Superintendent of the Market, Julius Carbon indicated that a number of persons had indicated interests in hosting other activities at the market that would complement the Friday evening market. Carbon however said that while he was aware of the growing trend, “no serious consideration has been given to formalizing or expanding the Friday evening activities.” He added, “We are still looking to see how things develop.”