Market makes big impression on its first day

Up to 1000 people turned out for the first day of a new weekend market in Kerikeri. PHOTO / Stephanie Schollum

The first day of a new weekend market in Kerikeri succeeded beyond its organisers' wildest expectations, with up to 1000 people turning out despite bleak weather.

The Old Packhouse Market opened on Saturday in a former coolstore and packing shed as an alternative to the Sunday farmers' market in Kerikeri's CBD.

At the peak time, around 10am, close to 300 cars were parked in every available space for hundreds of metres along Kerikeri Rd. Organisers put the turnout at 700 but the true figure is thought to be much higher.

The market combines fresh produce, arts and crafts, baking, gourmet products, wine, coffee, a carving studio, jewellery, juices and entertainment.

The artisans' area, wineries and cafe are indoors while most other stalls are sheltered under the building's eaves.

The new market is a venture by the Hyland family who bought the property earlier this year. The existing kauri furniture business will be retained.

Judy Hyland said Saturday's success surpassed all expectations, especially given the poor weather. Many stall holders sold out and all wanted to come back this weekend.

"There were some kinks, but we'll get them ironed out as quickly as we can," she said. Teething problems included parking issues and a coffee stall overwhelmed by demand for more than 400 coffees.

Mrs Hyland said the purpose-built stalls had been booked out two months ago and there was a waiting list for outdoor stalls.

The family venture had been modelled on various markets including the farmers market in Whangarei, Matakana market, and La Cigale and Ceres markets in Auckland.

"We just wanted a to be a proper representation of Northland growers and artisans, and to give the public a choice."

Its success was due to a family pulling together with each member working to his or her strengths. Family patriarch Lindsay Hyland in particular had made it possible, she said.

One of last weekend's most popular stalls offered Chilean-style barbecued meat; this Saturday should see more food stalls with the completion of an on-site commercial kitchen paving the way for a second bakery and the return of Gary Burnett's famous Paihia pies, now known as Packhouse pies. Entertainment will be provided by jazz/blues singer Makareta Umbers.

Future plans include a weekly afternoon market and extra markets in the lead-up to Christmas. An art gallery is due to open on a mezzanine floor indoors in February. The market runs from 8am to about 1.30pm every Saturday opposite the Makana chocolate factory.

The Bay of Islands Farmers Market, held every Sunday on the Kerikeri post office car park, marked its 10th anniversary two weeks ago. However, restrictions on the type of goods that can be sold and the number of stalls selling any particular product, have seen the market shrink dramatically in recent years.