Stabroek Market; the biggest market located in Guyana. People of all sorts go to this market, both to make a living and to buy groceries. This loud and busy place is always occupied with vendors, music, taxis, buses and even boats at the stelling. Fresh fruits and vegetables; seafood such as fishes, shrimp, crab can all be found at the market. Delicious pastries, cookies and cakes are sold in and around the market as well.
Stabroek Market’s History
The structure that you about when you talk about Georgetown.
In 1842, the Georgetown Town Council designated the current location of the market on Water Street and it was officially recognized as a market even though it functioned as such for quite some time. The market covers an area of about 80,000 square feet; a reasonably large piece of land for the public.
The building is cast-iron and is known for its clock located at the top of the building. It dates back to the late 1700’s but was built in the 1880’s. During the period of 1880-1881, the Edgemoor Iron Company of Delaware, USA, designed and constructed the market. In the same year of 1881, construction of the iron and steel structure was completed.
Did You Know?
The iron and steel structure of the Stabroek Market may presently be the oldest structure in Georgetown that is still in use.
Life at the Stabroek Market
Stands Outside the Stabroek Market. (Image Source: Stabroek News)
For some, vending around the market is their lifestyle; they’re accustom to sitting at the side of the road, sometimes in the hot sun, calling out the name of their groceries…Bora! Cabbage! Pumpkin! Apple and Bananas! Corn! Whitey! Awara! Some men walk around with stands hung around their neck by rope/cloth; they sell gum, mints, candy (sweety), biscuits, etc. Likewise, some women walk around with baskets on their head selling pickled mangoes, pineapples, tangerines and more. These vendors are proud of what they do since they are able to make an honest living and provide financially for their families.
Most of the stands at the market have been passed down from generation after generation; some stands that are now owned by many clothes vendors, cooks, shoemakers, etc. were passed down from their grandparents to their parents and now to themselves. Some have been vending for over 40 years while other locations have been occupied for about 83 years. L. Seepersaud Maraj and Sons is a family jewelry business that has been in the market since 1935.
L. Seepersaud Maraj and Sons Family Business
Family member Ram Maraj says “the market is a local flair; you could see everything, you could hear everything.” He referred to the market as Guyana’s first traditional mall, noting that one could find “from a pin to an anchor”. He went on to say that it’s a place where people meet up while running their daily errands like shopping or repairing a shoe.
Inside of the Stabroek Market
A boutique selling clothes and shoes inside the Stabroek Market. (Image Source: Stabroek News)
Some stands/businesses inside the market:
- Jewelry stores
- Butchery
- Clothes stores
- Electronics stores
- Shoemakers
- Bird sellers
- Book stores
- Fish pond
- Cook shops
- Canteens
Stands inside of the market have more favorable conditions than the ones outside. Vendors are usually watchful, active and ready to sell anyone who pass by, “Come gyal buy wan shut fe yuh son today.”
Tip: Watch out for the cart men; they are full of energy and speed and are quite helpful if you need someone to carry heavy loads of groceries for you.
The fish pond; this is an enclosed area where the days catch is sold. There are long, wooden tables where the fishes would be displayed and are usually decorated with citrus peels and peppers to keep the flies away as some say. A variety of fishes are sold like butterfish, cuirass, annafoka, bangamary, trout, etc.
Behind the Stabroek Market lies the wharf. Many vendors sell inside of the wharf but most are located outside on the pavement. On the pavement, the vendors are permitted to sell their provisions from 3:00pm to 6:00pm, from Monday to Saturday with a daily charge. For some, their goods are transported from the Linden Highway and from Canal, West Coast Demerara. Others get goods from the Pomeroon and from suppliers that pass through the market on certain mornings.
Operation Times: The Stabroek Market opens at 7:00am and closes at 5:00pm. On every third Wednesday, the market is cleaned, this means that stallholders will work for only half day.
The Meat Centre and Cook Shops
Meat Centre inside Stabroek Market. (Image Source: Stabroek News)
The butcher section sells a wide variety of meat such as beef, chicken, mutton, duck, pork, eggs, tripe, saltfish, etc. The vendors say that they obtain beef from the abattoir and chicken from bounty and other private suppliers. Nothing is wasted at the butcher shop; the scrap bones from the chicken neck, feet and wings, as well as the cow head are all sold for dog food.
Cook shop – there are cook shops located at the back of the market. Most sell creole dishes and are opened at 7:00am. There are small dining areas at the shops; cozy, comfortable and simple. If you’re tired after shopping and touring the market, the cook shops are there to replenish you with plenty to drink and it has delicious food to satisfy your hunger.
The Stabroek Market is huge; almost anything can be found at this market, from fruits, vegetable, provisions, meat, candy to clothes, books, gadgets and shoes. This huge red and white building with a pointed top and
The Market at Night
a well-known clock is indeed a traditional mall where you can find almost anything.
Article References:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stabroek_Market
- https://www.stabroeknews.com/2016/news/guyana/11/21/stabroek-market-5/
- https://www.thingsguyana.com/stabroek-market-at-night/
