Suva's Garden City Market attracts vendors from the West despite travel costs

Vendors made their way all the way from the Western Division to sell their products at the Garden City Market despite the travel costs today.

44-year-old Sharlene Mercer who made her way from Nadi to sell homemade cookies and popcorn says although the borders are open and there is a huge flow of tourists in Nadi, she prefers Suva for her business.

Mercer says baking refreshes her memories of growing up and baking with her mother and sisters.

The Nadi based businesswoman who owns Biscuit Tin says she supplements her husband’s income through her business as he is on a reduced rate.

55-year-old Agnes Powell from Lautoka who turned her hobby into a business says she combined her love for natural products into making soap and oil.

Powell says she has a job in Lautoka and was on reduced hours before.

She adds she made her products outside working hours and continued her business online which supplemented well to her reduced hours.

The owner of Simply Elegant says she has been doing this business for a few years now and learnt how to make oil and soap through her friends and the internet.

Meanwhile, 41-year-old Nilesh Pillay, who is mute, came all the way from Lautoka and sold $500 worth of handmade cards at the market.

Pillay who is the only bread-winner in his family says he had to close his business during COVID-19 and could not provide for his family.

He says he is grateful that the restrictions have eased.

Pillay says he likes to see the friendly faces of people in Suva and there is more foot traffic compared to Lautoka.