If there was ever a time to shop local, it's now.
Victoria has a lot to offer in the way of small businesses and locally-made products, with creative, innovative and motivated minds aplenty.
With an abundance of makers creating a plethora of stunning crafts, paintings, fashion, homewares and some of the best eats and produce in town, local event organiser Janina Lear struck gold with the creation of the Piccadilly Market more than a decade ago.
Simply described as a design market, the Piccadilly Market is perfect for those wanting to support local business all under one roof after an extremely trying year, giving shoppers the opportunity to talk to the makers and get a feel for bespoke handmade products.
Entering its 11th year, following on from the success of last year’s reimagined Piccadilly Christmas Market, the Piccadilly Design Market will return to its new location at the Barwon Valley Activity Centre in Belmont for one day on Saturday March 27, from 10am to 3pm.
Boasting more than 70 stalls, Geelong, Torquay and surrounds most talented jewellers, fashion designers, illustrators, artists, food producers, and makers will all be there to provide you with some of the very best local products in the region.
Among the vendors will be Be. Bangles who make inspirational and cheeky engraved bangles; Cover Me Jules from Torquay who will be selling hooded change towels, beach towels and accessories; Geelong-based Made. By Mik who will be featuring handmade baby and kid’s clothing; bold statement and one-of-a-kind earrings from Studio Tyyli; indoor plants from Ocean Green Collective; and gorgeous handmade sustainable swimwear from Geelong’s own Swim by Elly.
You’ll also find unique bohemian-inspired pieces from Adeline’s Closet, artisan soaps from Blue Pepperseed, reusable cups and water bottles from Caye Life, and macrame pieces from Knot and Soul co; among other designers like Alphabits, Surf Coast Weighted Blankets, Mokii Baby, Nandita Ceramics, Cleanse and Renew, Drifting Jewellery, Fujinella, Savasana Quilts and Something Simple Soy Candles.
For those looking for something new to adorn their walls, there will be works from a number of local and Melbourne artists on offer, including Dots by Donna, Nicky Kriss Art, Abby Lee Artist, and Popcorn Blue.
Market-goers will even be able to explore a carefully curated range of gastronomical vendors serving up the finest quality produce and eats, including artisan chocolates from Port Fairy’s Audley & Hall, preserves and produce from Crisp Produce and Preserves, Italian tomato sauce from IL Panzerotto taste of Puglia, organic chai from Frank n Al Chai, Mexican goodness from Sidewalk Cantina and dumplings from The Lil Dumpling Van. You’ll also find coffee from City to Surf Mobile Café, elixirs and mixers for cocktails from The Curious Cabinet, locally hand blended herbs and teas from leaftea; and an abundance of treats from Bellarine Brownie Company, Cakes ‘N’ Bake by Kate, Churros Yummy Donuts, Cookies by Qui and Timboon Icecream.
Your furry friends won’t be forgotten either with homemade treats from Pure Paws Dog Bakery, accessories from Snoozeez Pet Bedz & Accessories and photoshoots from NorLu Pet Photography. Oh and there’ll be live music. Talk about one helluva day out?!
Guided by the ethos of filling your heart and not the land, this is a plastic bag free event so be sure to pack a carry bag because all these gorgeous stalls will be selling handmade goodies that are too cute to resist.
The market will run on Saturday, March 27 from 10am to 3pm and is $3 entry for adults 16+. Event organisers have requested shoppers wear a mask, socially distance and try to refrain from touching products where possible. For more information, visit the website.
