Canberra’s Sunday best, the Old Bus Depot Markets, is celebrating 25 years in business this year, and will mark their quarter century with a special birthday market on Sunday 29th September.
“Can you believe we are turning 25 this year? A lot has changed in Canberra and at the Markets in that time,” said Old Bus Depot Markets’ Director, Anthony Niravong.
“One thing that has remained is that the Old Bus Depot Markets is still a Sunday tradition for Canberrans and visitors alike who have been coming to market for locally and regionally made hand crafts, clothing, jewellery and delicious food since we first opened in 1994.
“Over 25 years we have truly proven ourselves as a place where success happens. During this time the Markets has been a wonderful incubator for local businesses. We have seen businesses start out here and grow so large they move on to their own premises and business endeavours.
“And the humbling thing is that we have also remained a stable home for local businesses for the past quarter century. We are so proud to say that after 25 years, we still have 11 of the original Old Bus Depot Markets stallholders with us today,” Anthony continued.
To mark their 25 years, the Old Bus Depot Markets is hosting a 25th birthday party on Sunday 29th September. It will include all the fun trimmings of a birthday party with a birthday cake, balloons and a giant birthday card for visitors to sign. Happy birthday will be performed by local entertainers, The Guitar Cases, at 11am. Visitors can bag a 25th birthday pin and balloons and enter an Instagram competition, by tagging themselves @oldbusdepotmarkets and #obdm25thbirthday they have the chance to win up to $500 in ‘obdm cash’ prizes.
Old Bus Depot Markets’ 25th birthday takes place Sunday 29th September from 10am until 4pm, and entry is free. For more information visit www.obdm.com.au
Our History
- The Old Bus Depot Markets (OBDM) started back in 1992 from a simple idea to open a weekly market in Canberra.
- OBDM was created by two Canberra women and friends – Diane Hinds and Morna Whiting – the pair finding the perfect setting, a large industrial space in an old bus depot on Wentworth Avenue, Kingston.
- The first Market was held in September 1994 – it was the beginning of a Canberra icon.
- They moved to the present building in 1998.
- OBDM was inducted into the Australian Tourism Hall of Fame and included into the top ten Canberra ‘places of heart.’
- The pair saw businesses thrive, the illness and passing of a number of much-loved stallholders and saw some stallholders turn into strong national businesses after starting at the markets.
- In 2016 Diane and Morna passed the baton to new owners, Anthony Niravong and Sally Peter.
- Today the markets remain a hive of creativity and expression each and every week.
- Anthony says none of this would be possible without their incredibly talented stallholders who come together each week, along with the support of the enthusiastic customers who visit each week.
