As of yesterday, I am no longer an undergraduate student. To celebrate and unwind from four years of torturing my brain, it was with the greatest excitement that I ventured to have a look-see at the West End Twilight Markets, a brand-spanking-new event that only started last week.
The venue was a small hangar on Boundary Street, a short walk away from the Gunshop Cafe or the Three Monkeys Cafe (incidentally also a great place for almond biscotti cake and lattes), as knowledgable locals would find convenient.
Having arrived unfashionably early (as I am prone to do), the first thing I noticed was the somewhat food-centric-ness of the market. Notably a mint-green Volkswagen Bus was parked outside, serving vintage softdrinks (with red-and-white swirly straws!), and a pizza stall complete with baking kiln. Within, the smell of baked goods pervaded the air - macaroons (oh but the ginger nut caramel was heavenly), pumpkin bread, mini baugettes, cupcakes, etc. - almost every species of saccharine and non-saccharine carbohydrates you could crave for, stacked tastefully in hampers and baskets and cake-stands. There was also a "bar" comprised of what seemed to be folding tables and stools, though I did not pay it much attention, not being especially inclined to beer.
There were, of course, also clothes stalls and knick-knack stalls, as with every vintage market. I spotted a few darling tea-sets and even a magnificent fuchsia Remington typewriter (which was way beyond my means, alas). Other goods included homeware, books, stationery, snips and swathes of pretty fabric, hats, accessories, and a tarot reading table and an ukulele class stall (where the owner was actually playing the fiddle), if you would like your fortune told or learn how to play an unusual instrument.
Personally I am glad that the WETM offers something slightly different to the generic vintage market (if such a thing exists). While Finders Keepers is more stationery-centric, and vintage retail stores and op shops offer ample supply of threads, WETM is an interesting blend of food, music, fashion and culture. The fact it runs from 4pm-9pm is also considerate for those who need to work on weekends - you poor things - but would still like to immerse in some fun and sights.
The West End Twilight Market runs on Saturday evenings from 4-9pm
Location: 113 Boundary Street (or Cnr Boundary and Wilson St)
