A new market has emerged in Brisbane bringing local shoppers and creatives together in support of small business aptly named The Market Folk. Launched by local entrepreneur, Sarah Malengret, The Market Folk evolved from Brisbane’s much-loved Metre Market and its infamous preloved rack sale, where stallholders had “a metre” of space to showcase their secondhand clothes.
Since its debut event at the humble Morningside School of Arts in 2015, this local gathering of artists, makers and designers has transformed into a thriving creative community, attracting crowds in the thousands almost every market.
“Our new name encapsulates this growing community we’ve created where small business is celebrated and being creative and eco-conscious valued,” said founder of The Market Folk, Sarah Malengret. “We are all ‘market folk’ – the shoppers, the makers, the organisers, and we each have an important part to play in supporting our local economy.”
In addition to standalone boutique markets across Brisbane, The Market Folk has expanded to include collaborations with some of Queensland’s leading lifestyle precincts including Gasworks Plaza Newstead, California and Bakery Lane Fortitude Valley along with Coorparoo Square. “We are very proud of the community of talented and like-minded businesses we have created in partnership with these precincts” Sarah continued.
“It is wonderful to see these spaces activated and filled with local businesses, showcasing everything from fashion to homewares, jewellery, plants, arts and crafts, beauty products, as well as our popular pre-loved rack sale.” A huge advocate for small businesses, Malengret also champions the importance of reducing Australia’s carbon footprint through shopping secondhand.
“The Market Folk values sustainable shopping and provides an opportunity for Brisbane locals to be kind to our planet. By recycling your clothes in the rack sale or shopping handmade, you are helping to save energy, water and nonrenewable resources that are used to make bulk new goods.”
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