Function space hosts food market

A NEW popup night market is set to bring local eateries to sell their food together under one roof.

The Eatlist Night Market will launch at Housey Housey from 5pm on Friday, 9 September and Saturday, 10 September, allowing a rotation of eight to 10 vendors to share their offerings in an indoor environment.

Housey Housey events manager Michaela Beggs said the popup market was inspired by COVID lockdowns.

“There was all that pivoting that everyone had to do during that time and so we want to keep the benefits of that,” she said.

“A real creativity came out of that time and so we want to create an environment to allow that to continue.

“For cooks this is something they can do outside of their normal restaurant, and it’s a safe testing ground to run new things in a sort of social space.”

The first offering will be headlined by Moon and Mountain, and a second market will run on Friday, 16 September and Saturday, 17 September, fronted by Ballarat Toastie Tsar, Tim Bone, of Tim’s Toasties.

Entry is by gold coin donation, and eating space will be provided for attendees.

The markets will also serve as the debut of restaurants Room 4 Crepes and Chip Chap.

Bone said the event will bring a different feeling to Ballarat’s normal popup offerings.

“Coming from outdoor markets and events, it’s going to be nice to be a bit cosier in an indoor space,” he said.

“I’ve been to similar setups in Melbourne like Graceland and Welcome to Thornbury, and Ballarat doesn’t really have this sort of thing.

“So, to have that night time market in the beautiful Housey Housey setting, the atmosphere around Armstrong Street is going to be fantastic.”