Two-Day Straw Market Closure Disappoints Visitors, Nearby Workers Say It’s Needed

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The heartbeat of Bay Street has suddenly gone silent. The World‑Famous Straw Market is closed for business for 48 hours, as crews move in for deep cleaning, repairs, and maintenance.

However, while officials stress it’s only temporary, the work cannot be carried out while the market is open.

Tourists like Luna Marseille had a very different opinion after a visit to the market came highly recommended during her short visit to the capital.

Luna Marseille – Tourist

“Well, I’m disappointed because a local actually brought me here to get things specifically, and we got here, and the doors were closed, so…womp, womp, womp.”

Another visitor Bob Dillon says the shutdown left him puzzled and disappointed.

Bob Dillon – Tourist

“It’s all sad. What’s wrong with it?…We came all the way here from America. Hurt my feelings.”

However, these taxi drivers see the closure as an opportunity, believing the 48-hour closure of the straw market could yield positive results..

Archer Rolle – Taxi Driver

” I feel, though, after the repairs and the maintenance and everything, like that, I feel it’ll attract more people, you know…”

Ron Rolle – Taxi Driver

“I think it’s something needed. They only close them for 2 days just to do some deep cleaning. So, straw vendors they’ll come back, fully prepared in the next 2 days”

“They’ll definitely lose some money but then sometimes you gotta lose things in order to get up to standard.”

Downtown worker Martha Brown believes the effort should be valued, since it’s meant to keep the market up to date.

Martha Brown – Downtown Worker

“Okay, they should be appreciated that they are getting the straw market up to date, and they’ll be back as soon as they are finished completing their work.”

Now, it’s important to note that temporarily closing the market isn’t new.

Last September, straw vendors pleaded with the authority not to shut down the market for 7 days.