By NICOLE VALICEK
WHAT started as an idea has blossomed into an event that has enlivened a street and brought visitors to Altona.
The Altona Village Traders Association will hold its first market of the year today and every Tuesday following on Pier St and Logan Reserve from 9am to 3pm.
AVTA president Kim Walsh and former Altona trader described the former shopping strip on a Tuesday as a ghost town.
“We wanted to do something to make our quietest day hopefully one of our busiest days,” Mr Walsh said.
Now in its ninth year, Mr Walsh is confident that the Altona Beach Market has brought life back to what would otherwise be an empty shopping precinct.
Recalling its opening Mr Walsh said the pier was “jam-packed with people”.
“Basically the rest is history,” he added.
During the summer Mr Walsh said the market can attract up to 80-100 stall holders, local visitors and those from afar.
“As a traders association our aim was to bring people into the town and then it’s up to individual shop keepers to take advantage of that,” Mr Walsh said.
“We encourage our own traders to get into the market atmosphere and bring some of their goods out onto the market and street.”
The broad-based market provides everything from clothing, fruit and vegetables, nuts and plants as well as entertainment.
“It’s revitalised our town on a Tuesday – we have thousands of people come into Altona,” Mr Walsh said.
For market stall holder inquiries contact 0404 633 036.
