Organic Us

We spent a sun drenched day at Manly Primary School markets on Saturday. Business wasn’t booming like on Election Day, but I left with a good feeling on the inside when the long day was over. We covered our costs, bought yummy food, talked to some new people and also restrained ourselves from buying Alice McCall and One Teaspoon dresses with our takings. PLUS, we sold our favourite Michael Jackson inspired leather jacket.

The thing I love so much about the markets is that it gives you permission to chat to random people without any reason in particular. People will stop to look and start telling you about their daughter who is so tall, beautiful and wore a dress for the first time to her school formal. Most of the time on my daily journey to/from work, strangers go out of their way to avoid eye contact. Being at the markets gives anyone instant permission to engage in a convo with serious eye contact. And I just love it.

There is also feeling of camaraderie amongst market stall holders. On one side we have Rachel who designs and screen-prints her own t-shirts. She is always good for a chat and to give advice on her market experience. She is a talented artist as well. On the other side we have Jeannie and Chas*, an old couple who sell glassware that Chas has cut out of old vodka and cranberry juice bottles. They make me laugh. She bosses him around all day and they are forever re-arranging their stall to test what works best. Jeannie and also wears high waisted pants with a belt ala Annie Hall. I heart that look.

The most exciting part of the day (apart from the bit where the youngish gentleman took his jeans off in our stall to try on a pair of our skinny jeans) was when Owbags (thanks Manager) took over the stall whilst we hunted for lunch. We discovered Organicus kitchen and pantry. Newly opened and a beautiful breath of fresh food air. All organic produce displayed in a giant glass window, a giant blackboard behind the counter, a huge wooden table in the middle of the room, plants hanging from one wall. We ate fresh salmon, chorizo tart, lentil salad and quinoa that made my mouth water. It was fresh, so yummy and beautifully packaged in brown boxes and disposable wooden cutlery. It’s worth a trip to Manly just to try it out.


* I would love to hyperlink their name, but I so know they don’t have a blog. They are old fashioned. I can tell.