The success of Creswick's new weekly farmer's market is proving an increasing desire to access local produce, while helping to attract visitors to the town.
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The Creswick Market relaunched on May 16 as a 'shop and go' weekly market after months of shutdown.
The event had been run on a monthly basis prior to COVID-19.
Market organiser Tim Drylie said changes to the 'new-look' physically distanced event had been made throughout the past few weeks to respond to changing restrictions, including the introduction of some non-food stalls this week and the ability to gather distanced in groups.
As long as the community supports the market and the small businesses, we will all come out alright.
- Simone Broad-Hipwell, Creswick Flowers
He said this period had provided the opportunity to test the viability of a permanent weekly event.
"With the return of the Ballarat markets and other markets such as Ballan, some of the stallholders will go back to their regular markets on some of those weeks," he said.
"It looks like we may adapt the weekly event into something ongoing, but that has to go back to the committee and be discussed with everyone involved."
Mr Drylie said the weekly event allowed market produce to become a part of residents' weekly shop, a positive for both producers and consumers.
"People now have an alternative for their regular staple shop for eggs, bread, vegetables and some really good quality local produce like olives, olive oils, vinegar and chutneys," he said.
Mr Drylie said there had been an increased number of visitors to the market from Ballarat each week, perhaps because Ballarat markets remain temporarily closed.
He said it had also attracted new customers who had never been to a market before, but were beginning to explore the 'local food phenomenon'.
"There has been a resurgence of interest in growing food at home, shopping local and supporting local food producers, which is fantastic," Mr Drylie said.
Feedback from other Creswick businesses shows many market visitors are choosing to spend more time in town, perhaps going for a walk and wandering through the main street.
"Creswick is becoming more of a destination town these days... it is certainly a very pleasant place for people to come," Mr Drylie said.
Sue-ellen Rossi, co-owner of Creswick book store The Story Unfolds, said she had started opening the store on Saturdays after months of closure.
She said she thought the market was helping bring people to town.
"I noticed there were a few people up from the city on the weekend coming out for a day trip," Ms Rossi said.
"I think as the hospitality side of the town opens up more, that will bring more people into town.
"We have got some good businesses here. Like us, they are just trying to find their way."
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Creswick Flowers owner Simone Broad-Hipwell said she had begun opening her nursery and gift store from Tuesday to Friday last week and would consider re-opening on Saturdays in coming weeks.
She said she avoided opening on Saturday this long-weekend to err on the side of caution and safety, expecting a number of visitors from Melbourne travelling to town.
"The market is doing a great job having to change and evolve like all small businesses, which is wonderful for the town," Ms Broad-Hipwell said.
"As long as the community supports the market and the small businesses, we will all come out alright."
Mr Drylie said the Creswick Market will run weekly until at least the end of July. An announcement on whether it will continue permanently as a weekly model is expected by the end of June.
Visit the Creswick Market Facebook page for details on stallholders and event times.
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