Market

In Chaguanus there are three markets found, which are the prominent Chaguanas Market, the Flea market and the Central Farmers Wholesale Market. Markets allow for the gathering of people to sell as well as to purchase fruits, vegetables, provisions, meats, seafood, clothes and other commodities. There is an atmosphere of competition and negotiation always present as vendors and customers try to get the best deals.

The Chaguanas Market is located in the center of the CBD and is usually so overflowing with vendors that some sell on the street directly outside the market. Many vendors of this market sell locally grown vegetables, fruits and livestock. Upon entering the market there is a variety of colourful stalls packed to the brim with sweet peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, watermelons, mangoes, cherries, bananas and grapes. Within the market the space is organised into rows of stalls and aisles. However, due to the bustle of the people and the calls of the vendors, the market can become very clustered and noisy. A great variety of East Indian sweets and delicacies can be purchased at the market including, kurma, jalebi and barfi as well as ladoo, polouri and saheenas. In the market one can also purchase kitchen utensils, clothes and cosmetics. 

Photograph taken by Kristen Goseine with Canon EOS REBEL T3i/EOS 600D. (Date taken: 30/03/15)

The Chaguanas Flea market can be described as an assembly of street vendors gathered in one open space just outside Center City Mall. Vendors located here sell their merchandise at relatively low and reasonable prices since they are not subjected to paying taxes or utilities. These low prices are the result of them not selling out of stores. In contrast to the Chaguanas Market, vendors located here mostly sell clothes, shoes, hair products and cosmetics.This market started when vendors moved off of the roads and into the abandoned lot where the market is now located.There is also another flea market that occurs annually in a lot adjacent to Mid Center Mall. This market usually opens during the Christmas season when there is a high demand for reasonably priced merchandise. However, these markets will never be as exciting as that of the marketplace in Agrabah, which was the CBD of Arabia. 

Photograph taken by Kristen Goseine with Canon EOS REBEL T3i/EOS 600D. (Date taken: 30/03/15)

The Central Farmers Wholesale Market is up and coming in the urban aspect of Chaguanas life. It will provide services including the sale of fresh produce and poultry at a wholesale price, therefore, allowing persons to buy in bulk. This market is housed in the recently renovated Woodford Lodge compound. The former Woodford Lodge Recreation Club was highly frequented during the "hey days of sugar" and was recently demolished in a fire. This tragedy allowed for the construction of the new Farmers Wholesale Market in a 22,680 square feet building. Agriculture Minister Devant Maharaj said that the building would be open to 1,000 farmers from the various farming areas located in central Trinidad. 

Photograph taken by Kristen Goseine with Canon EOS REBEL T3i/EOS 600D. (Date taken: 30/03/15)

References

Allevents.in,. 2015. 'Christmas Flea Market 2014'. Accessed April 6. http://allevents.in/chaguanas/christmas-flea-market-2014/1520452788171748.

Baboolal, Yvonne. 2015. 'Wholesale Market Opens In Chaguanas'. Trinidad And Tobago Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.tt/business/2015-02-26/wholesale-market-opens-chaguanas.

Disney Wiki,. 2015. 'Agrabah'. Accessed April 7. http://disney.wikia.com/wiki/Agrabah.

Ramoutar, Paras. 2013. 'The Lure Of Chaguanas Market'. Trinidad And Tobago Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.tt/columnist/2013-04-21/lure-chaguanas-market.

TrinDigital,. 2011. TRINIDAD CHAGUANAS MARKET. Image. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bktTCe42LME.

Trinidad and Tobago Guardian,. 2015. 'Woodford Lodge Club Burns Down'. http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/2015-04-07/woodford-lodge-club-burns-down.