Day of Food: Mercato Centrale @ BGC

Yesterday was a day jam packed with food.  It was the first day of the new market in for called Mercato Centrale.  I was quite excited because I was selling my ice cream and it's the first time I joined a market.  Although my main item was the ice cream, I was worried that people don't eat ice cream early in the morning so I shared my stall with a friend who sold crepes and I also made smoothies.  It was so nice that so much friends and family were supporting me.

The night before we went to check on the site of the market and I was surprised that there were numerous vendors selling frozen desserts too and they all had freezers!  I just planned on bringing a cooler which was what some of the other vendors in other markets were doing.  Our space was very cramped, so we decided to go back home and look for a table that can replace the bigger one supplied by the market.  They also told us that someone will be squeezing in part of our section as well.

From the night before, I was really stressed and nervous all the way till the time of the market.  I was worried that my ice cream wouldn't stay hard enough to last through the morning and I realized that I should have spend more time on my display and visuals.

I needed something where one look and the shopper would know I was selling ice cream; like one of the vendors in front of me.  I thought his stall was really cute.

Although it's being called a market, it really feels more like a bazaar.  The place has a few tents up and they are JAM PACKED with vendors.  (I took my friends pictures for these)

Unlike the other weekend markets like Salcedo, Legaspi, or Greenhills. The place felt very commercialized.  Most of the products sold are prepared or finished items already.   The aisles were very narrow so when people started coming in, it got congested really quickly.  As a shopper, I don't feel it's a comfortable place to shop.  It felt cramped and irritating when most of the vendors are trying to lure you in.  It's the first day, so the layout was still pretty disorganized.  There were too many vendors in similar categories it was hard for shoppers to short list where they wanted to buy from or go to.  It was a very tiring experience in my opinion.  I was expecting the market to be more comfortable and specialized.  I think it would be better if they had fewer stalls; perhaps screen all the vendors.  The overall experience does not deliver to what it's advertised to be.  I'm sure certain aspects of the market will improve as the weekends go on.  It is just the first day.

I definitely had an experience in the market.  I was so so grateful and touched for all the help and support I received throughout the whole event, from the planning, to the set up, selling time, and packing up.  I liked my product. (Picture from a sweet friend.)

Although I did sell enough (mostly thanks to family and friends,haha), there so many things I would change if I were to go back again as a vendor.  I'd have to invest in a freezer, have effective visuals that better communicate to the shopper, and perhaps choose a market that has a better time.  People don't really eat ice cream so early in the morning.