There was a sense that all was well in the world for many people who went to the Lismore Car Boot Market last Sunday.

The market had returned to its original home under Lismore Shopping Square and people returned to their old rituals – meeting friends at their favourite coffee stalls and browsing the covered aisles for bargains.

Market coordinator Marny Bonner said a lot of market goers had told her it was great to have a sense of normalcy again after a Covid year of closures, then a venue change to the Showground.

It didn’t matter that there were fewer stalls than usual. Marny said that was normal for the first market of the year, as many people were still away on holiday and some were still a bit Covid shy and didn’t want to hold stalls yet.

Fewer stalls

“A few of the older stallholders took the opportunity to review their life and work balance and gave up the market,” Marny said. “After a break because of Covid, they wanted less stress and more time with the grandkids and no early morning starts.

“A few were concerned about the Queensland border delays in getting back across the border after a long day at the market – especially with the NSW daylight savings time difference.”

“People were asking me ‘where are plant and produce stalls?’”

Regulars absent

“Some regular market stalls, like the big plant stall in front of main central foyer was absent and he will be greatly missed. But before him there was a woman selling Boston ferns – so I’m sure someone else will come along.”

Even though there were less stalls, Marny said stall holders reported they did better than the last market before Christmas.

Relaxed

“I think it was because it was less crowded and people stayed longer and browsed more,” she said.

“There is often more money to go around after Christmas and people think ‘it’s me time – I’ll browse for me. People have a free, open, relaxed state of mind.”

Marny said there weren’t so many garage sale stalls – but expects that by the next two markets, people will be ready to turn their clutter into cash and get organised for a stall at the market.

Numbers

On Car Boot Market day, Marny had 19 staff members working hard to make the market run smoothly. There were eight coordinators, three cleaners and seven people counters (clickers) at the entrances

“At 11am, we clicked 1300 people in the market - well under the 4,500 maximum number we could have under the one person per two square metres Covid regulations,” Marny said.

“So, it was definitely busy, but not packed. It helps me to feel good that it’s safe and sanitised and everyone abiding by regulations.

Home base

“After a lot of work moving it back to the Square, it was good to be back in the home base and have the feeling that all is well - instead of constant huge challenges constantly.

“I have a fantastic team and they were happy to be back under cover after the hard work in the heat at the Showgrounds.

“It was also pleasing to see the accessibility was back for people in wheelchairs and with prams – as well as being sheltered from the weather.”

Next market

The next Lismore Car Boot market will be on Sunday, January 17. It’s on the first and third Sundays of every month, but because there are five Sundays this January, it will then three weeks till the one after – on February 7.