Straw Market Vendors Weigh in After Two-day Closure

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NASSAU , BAHAMAS –

Jacquelyn Cox – Vendor, Straw Market

“It’s a different atmosphere. People are just putting their work together. Everything smells different.”

Following a two-day closure, Straw Market vendors are back in their stalls, and they say they’re noticing some changes.

The Straw Market Authority, in conjunction with the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage, closed the market from Thursday, September 24 through Friday, September 25 to facilitate cleaning.

The closure was the first thorough cleaning of the facility since 2021, according to available records.

Vendors resumed operations on Saturday.

When we visited the market on Monday, we found mixed reactions to the work.

While some vendors said they could see and smell a difference, others questioned how thoroughly their individual stalls were cleaned.

Vendor Wendy Nixon was among those who expressed disappointment.

She pointed to garbage bags that were still on-site and claimed her booth had been dismantled during the cleaning.

Wendy Nixon – Vendor, Straw Market

“The railing was here. My concern and my thing is that for the past weeks, when they said the market was closing, they did not give me or the other ladies who occupy this area here, they did not give us a letter saying they was going to remove the railings.”

During the closure, officials also said cooling units would be installed to provide relief from the heat for the market’s estimated 470 vendors and patrons.

According to reports, Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage Leslia Miller-Brice said the units had been installed and were being tested.

But vendors we spoke with say the heat remains a problem.

Vendor

“I ain’t see no blower now. How they say they was gonna put blower in?”

As part of the measures put in place, vendors were also given one month of free rent.

The concession came after vendors raised concerns about the potential financial impact of the two-day closure.

According to reports, a stall at the market rents for 37 dollars a week.

For vendor Pharell Allen, the one-month rent-free period is significant.

She acknowledges that 37 dollars a week may not seem like much to some, but says it makes a difference, especially now that she says the industry has entered its slow season.

Pharell Allen – Vendor, Straw Market

“We was open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, closed Thursday and Friday. Nothing happened Monday when I came. I had an emergency Tuesday, Wednesday, I had to come shut down. Watch it now, I have to find rent come Monday again.”