06/09/2026
Why local markets matter 🤍
When we first started Lennoelia Designs, Palmyra was one of the Sunday markets we began attending.
We arrived as a very small business trying to find our feet. Through the market we met customers, were introduced to new clients, talked to people about what we were creating and slowly began building awareness of our business.
And, in all honesty, it became one of our favourite markets.
Why? Because it felt like a community.
People came down on a Sunday morning, stopped for a chat, supported local makers and got to know the people behind the stalls. There was a genuine sense of connection, and as a new small business, being welcomed into that community meant a great deal to us.
Local markets are about so much more than somewhere to shop.
For many small Australian businesses, they are where an idea gets its first real opportunity.
They give us somewhere affordable to meet our customers, test products, receive feedback, make sales, build confidence and generate the income we need to take the next step.
At a time when the cost of running a small business and the cost of commercial premises can be incredibly difficult for emerging businesses to absorb, markets provide an important and accessible pathway to getting started.
Behind every stall is a person, a family, an idea or a dream that someone is working incredibly hard to build.
Some of today's market stalls will become tomorrow's established local businesses. They may go on to employ people, take on commercial premises, support other local suppliers and contribute to the prosperity of their local communities.
But every business needs somewhere to start.
We were genuinely disappointed to hear that this new local market trial is now at risk of not being able to continue.
Of course, when markets operate within a community, reasonable concerns should be heard and addressed. But we also believe that new community initiatives deserve the opportunity to listen, adapt and find workable solutions.
A trial should be exactly that — an opportunity to see what works, understand what doesn't and make adjustments.
We would love to see this market given that opportunity.
We have signed the petition because we know firsthand what opportunities like this can mean to a small business.
If you value local markets, community spaces and the small Australian businesses behind the stalls, we would really appreciate you taking a moment to sign the petition and, if you can, share it.
Sometimes supporting a small business starts simply by giving them a place to show up. 🤍
Sign the Petition Complete the Trial: Let the Community Have a Say on the Palmyra Farmers Market