Carnival-like bazaar shopping at Markets@Jaya One

UNIQUE:Markets@Jaya One is a quarterly bazaar known for its handmade products and carnival-like shopping experience

SOME 4,000 people flocked to Jaya One recently to shop at Markets@Jaya One.

The market which operated from 11am to 6pm was the quarterly bazaar known for its unique, carnival-like  shopping experience.

More than 70 vendors offered clothing, accessories, handicrafts, homemade food, trinkets, stationery and home furnishing, among others.

Shoppers turned up as early as 10am to register  and  get free gifts from Topshop and Issey Miyake.

The free goodies were given on a first-come, first-serve basis and limited to 500 visitors.

Freeform Sdn Bhd retail  and product development executive  Gwen Yeoh said the aim of the event was to promote the  bazaar and offer a variety of handmade products.

"This is the second  bazaar this year after the one in March.

"We started Markets@Jaya One in 2008 to support independent businesses and to give visitors  a new shopping experience.

"The market is special because besides  being a quarterly bazaar, it is located in the middle of Palm Square, which is a precinct of bars, cafes, bistros and restaurants at the heart of Jaya One.

"All vendors are invited and the  handmade products are done by members of Etsy Malaysia, the local offshoot of the online marketplace of handmade products.

"The last event  garnered an overwhelming response.

"We will definitely run the event again,"  said Yeoh.

The  main attraction at the market was the Food Bites corner,  a curbside  corner offering a smorgasbord of mainly gourmet food,  some street food and beverages at affordable prices.

It was conceived to make gourmet food more accessible, and  offer a variety of foods  not normally seen in street fare.

There were delicious cupcakes, brownies, hot dogs, and ice-cream potong,  among others.

The  handmade products attracted many visitors as well.

Among the items were  notebooks made from fabrics, button badges with funny quotes,  positive quote posters, bracelets, wedding cards, hair clips and bags.

A booth called Bisou Rose offered vintage flower-shaped hair clips with birds on them.

One of the shoppers,  Teh Lye Zen, 16, who learnt about the market from Facebook, said she was excited to do her shopping during the school holidays.

"This is my first visit to this market. I find it a totally different shopping experience. Most vendors here sell  creative products that are rarely found anywhere else.

"I bought a necklace with my name carved on the pendant,  as well as several ornaments and  button badges," she said.

Another visitor, Ng Ee Zi, 16, described the market as special and a must-go market.

"I bought a few accessories, button badges and the notebook. I will definitely shop here next time," she said.

The market was also a hotspot for couples to buy their wedding items.

Isaac Ong and his fiancee Chloe Chan spent almost half an hour at Paper and Colour booth which offered a variety of colourful handmade cards,  decorations, thumbprint artworks and  door gifts.

"I ordered some wedding decorations and signed up to do a thumbprint artwork for my wedding day.

"It is my hope to make my wedding day a memorable and meaningful one.

"I love the idea of gathering creative business operators at this strategic location, as it gives shoppers plenty of choices and great satisfaction," said Ong.

Hospitality and tourism undergraduate Yusuf Annuar was another visitor who knew about the market through Facebook.

"The market is definitely a good platform to allow more independent business owners to showcase their products.

"This shows that Malaysians are a creative lot, and that local products are as good as  imported ones," said Yusuf, who bought himself a T-shirt and a cup.

For details on Markets@Jaya One, visit www.markets.my, www.facebook.com/themrkts, or follow  it on Twitter at

Shoppers looking at a variety of suitcases bags at one of the booths

A visitor admiring one of the posters at the Positive Emporium booth.

Button badges with catchy quotes drew much attention from youths.

Shoppers picking out scarves.

Visitors at a booth selling accessories. Pix by Nurul Syazana Rose Razman

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