Imagine a one-stop indoor market where you can taste and buy the best of West Australian produce, wines and beers while enjoying entertainment and the chance to visit local glassblowers, woodworkers, indigenous artists and other artisans.
It is still a building site, but the potential of the $50 million Origins Market in Busselton was obvious when I visited last week with curator and co-ordinator Louise Cashmore. It will be a big drawcard for both locals and tourists en route to or from Margaret River.
Origins Market will open in November and aims to showcase leading local providores, while also offering a shopping and dining destination.
Origins is calling on local producers, makers, growers and artisans passionate about food and West Australian artisanal products to become involved.
Busselton is one of Western Australia's fastest-growing regional centres and is just 10 minutes from the Busselton Margaret River Airport ,which is soon to receive direct flights from Melbourne.
It is located in a bustling new retail hub that already sees more than 25,000 weekly visitors.
Over 100 curated West Australian growers, producers, artists and creators will come together under one roof, all sharing the market’s ethos of sustainability and connection to the land. Local Wadandi elder Wayne Webb is among the consultants.
“For the past few months, I’ve been busily connecting with farmers, producers and artisans across the state to share the Origins Market story and unearth new talent who are ready to take their vision to market,” says Cashmore (below).
The idea has been inspired by some of the world’s best gourmet markets – like London’s Borough Market Barcelona’s Mercado de La Boqueria.
“Busselton is experiencing a steady population increase, particularly in young families and working professionals. When the new airport is operating as a gateway to Margaret River and beyond, we’ll see further growth in tourist numbers and Origins Market will showcase a taste of what this region has to offer,” says developer Allan Ercig
Attractions will include offshoots of Homestead Brewery and Mandoon Estate wines - both also owned by Ercig - deli operators, a fishmonger, gelato maker, cheese maker, coffee roaster, vegan and vegetarian options and even an active and observable beehive.
There will also be interactive stalls, hands-on workshops, pop-up restaurants, communal tables and local food trucks.
“Nobody knows the finest local products better than those based in the region of their origin, so we’re calling on West Aussies to nominate their favourite local produce and makers too, to ensure we can truly advocate to have the best of the West,” Cashmore said.
For details see www.originsmarket.com.au.
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