The energy at the Caribbean Grand Market was unmistakably livelier yesterday, as vendors at CARIFESTA House reported a noticeable uptick in both foot traffic and sales compared to opening day on Friday.
The fashion district was the epicentre of the buzz, drawing the largest crowds of the weekend as shoppers browsed racks of clothing, rows of shoes, and cases of jewellery, weaving between stalls in search of the perfect find.
With more people expected to stream in from Friday’s slower start, the market’s second day carried a different energy altogether — one vendor after another described the shift from browsing to buying.
Jamaican artist Alphanso Blake, who last graced Barbados’ shores during Carifesta more than a decade ago, said his return this year was inspired by how well his previous visit went.
“Being here last year was very successful for me. So I wanted to come back to Grand Market to see what it’s about,” he said.
Momentum
Blake also praised the market’s new venue, calling it “popping”, “exciting”, and “trendy” while expressing hope that the event becomes an annual fixture that continues to support Caribbean artists.
Blake noted that traffic had followed a similar pattern to the day before.
“In the afternoon yesterday (Friday), the traffic really picked up. So I’m thinking that also the traffic will pick up in the afternoon,” he said.
For Lorraine Scott, owner of Culture Arts, a Guyana-based business specialising in handmade leather goods and jewellery, Saturday was already shaping up to be better than Friday.
“Today is better than yesterday. I got more sales today than yesterday,” she noted.
Scott, whose business is now more than two decades old, expects the momentum to continue as the market draws closer to its final days.
“They’re probably thinking ‘oh we have a few more days so we still have time to come back later and get what we want’,” she stated, describing how shoppers often return after an initial browse to complete their purchase.
Vendor Stephen Aiko echoed the sentiment, attributing the busier Saturday to the weekend timing.
“Things have picked back up a little. It’s weekend so that was expected,” he said.
Drawing on his experience from the previous year, Aiko added that a slow start followed by a strong finish is typical.
“I’m just grateful for every sale I make whether it’s one sale or twenty,” he added.
Teresa Maharaj, another returning vendor, said Saturday’s daytime activity was only a preview of what was to come once evening entertainment drew crowds back to the location.
“There’s a lot more activity today than yesterday and it’s most likely going to really come alive later tonight,” she said.
(DDS)
The post Better day for vendors at Grand Market appeared first on nationnews.com.
