Scallywags and Munchkins market fills gap for pre-loved childrens’ items
Hamilton has a new market – aimed at munchkins and scallywags.
and children Carys, 7, Finn, 5, Isla, 8 and Aidan, 2. Photo: Supplied.
Sellers and buyers of new and pre-loved maternity, baby and kids items are all set to attend the Scallywags and Munchkins Market this Saturday, May 23.
Market creator and organiser, Nicole Joyce noticed there were no regular pre-loved maternity, baby and kids markets running, when she returned to New Zealand in 2012, along with husband Michael and their children Isla, 8, Carys, 7, Finn, 5, and Aidan, 2.
Joyce said these types of markets were very popular in the UK.
“Nearly every area had a regular pre-loved market run by individuals or charity organisations. I was involved in several markets while living in the UK, as a seller. It was a great way for me to sell on my pre-loved items that my children had grown out of or no longer needed,” Joyce said.
Realising the gap in the market, she had a vision which soon became reality when the first Scallywags and Munchkins Market was held in Te Awamutu in November 2013.
After holding several successful markets in Te Awamutu, Joyce decided to bring her market to Hamilton with the first being held in May 2015.
“Holding the first markets in both Te Awamutu and Hamilton made me feel both nervous and excited that all my hard work had paid off.”
Somewhat of a supermum, Joyce runs and organises the markets herself.
This Saturday’s market will be held at Chartwell Cooperating Church from 1.30 until 4.30pm, and will have 27 stalls with over half selling pre-loved items. In addition, there will be a range of stalls selling new items with handmade and boutique-style clothing, room accessories and decorations.
A face-painting stall will be available on the day.
Newstead Model Country School will have a fundraising bake stall, along with Huggable Hearts charity, which is holding a sausage sizzle fundraiser.
“Scallywags and Munchkins Market has been set up to bring buyers and sellers together, who appreciate how costly a new baby and young children can be. We all know how quickly clothes, toys and books are outgrown,” Joyce explained.
