15 December, 2025, 8:05 pm Central - 24°C Rain

Suva's Garden City Market attracts vendors from the West despite travel costs

Suva's Garden City Market attracts vendors from the West despite travel costs

Sharlene Mercer, Agnes Powell and Nilesh Pillay

Vendors made their way all the way from the Western Division to sell their products at the Garden City Market despite the travel costs today.

44-year-old Sharlene Mercer who made her way from Nadi to sell homemade cookies and popcorn says although the borders are open and there is a huge flow of tourists in Nadi, she prefers Suva for her business.

Mercer says baking refreshes her memories of growing up and baking with her mother and sisters.

The Nadi based businesswoman who owns Biscuit Tin says she supplements her husband’s income through her business as he is on a reduced rate.

55-year-old Agnes Powell from Lautoka who turned her hobby into a business says she combined her love for natural products into making soap and oil.

Powell says she has a job in Lautoka and was on reduced hours before.

She adds she made her products outside working hours and continued her business online which supplemented well to her reduced hours.

The owner of Simply Elegant says she has been doing this business for a few years now and learnt how to make oil and soap through her friends and the internet.

Meanwhile, 41-year-old Nilesh Pillay, who is mute, came all the way from Lautoka and sold $500 worth of handmade cards at the market.

Pillay who is the only bread-winner in his family says he had to close his business during COVID-19 and could not provide for his family.

He says he is grateful that the restrictions have eased.

Pillay says he likes to see the friendly faces of people in Suva and there is more foot traffic compared to Lautoka.

Credit Corp Fiji Care
Credit Corp Fiji Care
FEATURE NEWS
Compain says CWM Ante-Natal Clinic is a leaking disaster and nothing has been done
The CWM Hospital Ante-Natal Clinic is a leaking disaster and nothing has been done since last Friday according to International Women's Association Fi...
4 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Visitors today want more than an air-conditioned room and a beautiful view - Deo
Pacific Recycling Foundation today convened its VAKA Forum with the tourism sector, bringing together resort and hotel executives, sustainability ...
2 hours ago

Matanimeke found guilty of killing Nitya Nand on Christmas Eve in 2023
Timoci Matanimeke has been found guilty of killing 60-year-old Nitya Nand on Christmas Eve in 2023.  Suva High Court Judge Justice ...
2 hours ago

Heavy rain leaves multiple roads flooded across Western Division
Several roads and crossings in the Western Division have been flooded and are currently inaccessible following the recent heavy downpour. Authorities ...
2 hours ago

Defence slams prosecution delays in Thakor Hari Punja drug case
Defence lawyers for Thakor Hari Punja criticised the State for repeated delays after they filed submissions late, causing the court hearing to be ...
2 hours ago

Seruiratu says Commission focusing more on reconciliation than truth
Leader of the Opposition Inia Seruiratu has criticized the Truth and Reconciliation Commission for focusing more on reconciliation rather than truth ...
2 hours ago



Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Sonia Shanaaz says silent treatment hurts as she waits for assistance for her daughter with cerebral palsy
Sonia Shanaaz, the mother of 10-year-old Aarna who was born with cerebral palsy, says silent treatment hurts after she reached out to the ...
3 days ago

I do not support police officers being charged on public opinions and without evidence - COMPOL
Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu says he will stand by his officers, and he does not support any officer being charged based on public opinion ...
3 days ago

Dubai 7s 2025
The Fiji Airways Men’s National 7s side are working on their fitness as they prepare for the start of the 2025/2026 World 7s Series this ...
7 days ago

TOP