Market celebrates

The South Melbourne Market celebrated its 150th birthday last month with a party in its food court on November 30.

City of Port Phillip Mayor, Cr Bernadene Voss, told Southbank Local News, the market was the jewel in the city’s crown.

“It’s the embodiment of everything we love about Port Phillip,” the Mayor said. “It’s diverse, it’s friendly, it’s invigorating and, of course, it’s local.”

Generational trader Angelo Zahos said the market had given more than just a living to his family, which started selling fish at the market in 1962.

“It’s been a privilege to have been part of this great market,” he said.  

Mr Zahos recalled his father insisting (against his will!) that young Angelo pitch in and contributed to the family business.

“It was quite resentful as a 12-year-old with different ideas about what I should be doing that early in the morning,” he said.  “I’m now so glad dad was strict.”

Mr Zahos praised market management for being collaborative and responsive to their traders.

With 4.7 million annual visitors, it is apparent that everyone associated with the market is doing a great job.