Plant 4: where food, producers and community come together
THE Kaitatzis family, owners of IGA City Central and The Market Shed on Holland, have added another business to their portfolio.
THE Kaitatzis family, owners of IGA City Central and The Market Shed on Holland, have added another business to their portfolio.
IGA Bowden and its adjacent Plant 4 market complex continue the Kaitatzis’ tradition of supporting local producers and bringing people together.
Co-owners Peter, Marilyn and Jono Kaitatzis have opened their newest IGA supermarket at Bowden and are in the process of completing the adjacent market, which will be home to several stallholders and cafes.
Marilyn Kaitatzis said The Market Shed on Holland experience is about connection and is something they are trying to replicate at Bowden.
“Some people say The Market Shed is a market, but really it’s a collective of people who are like-minded,” she said.
“In Plant 4, we have got so many different cultures (represented), such as Lebanese, Afghani, Pakistani and Greek.
“It’s just a true reflection of Australian community and culture and I’m really proud of that.”
While new players enter the market, including German giant Aldi, Ms Kaitatzis said she is not looking over her shoulder.
“We just tend to do our own, instinctive thing,” she said.
“In our business we are aware of competition but it’s really not our focus and we are not profit driven.
“Our objectives and goals are more towards a sense of commitment to ourselves, our community, our environment and nature.”
Jono Kaitatzis said local products are a key part of its business, and it also features some of the best produce from around the world.
“Local is a special word to our family and it isn’t just about putting local products on the shelf,” he said.
“To us, it has always been about working hard and employing local community members.
“One of our staff is very connected to local growers and we are able to sell products on their behalf.”
Plant 4 is also giving aspiring business owners a chance to test the market for their products.
Ms Kaitatzis said it can be scary for people to take the first steps to run their own business.
“It can be frightening and scary to take the first step ... so this (market environment) means they don’t have to go through that,” she said.
“Some people have never served behind a counter, so this helps them to gain confidence.”
The Plant 4 market is currently open on Wednesdays and Saturdays, with plans for some vendors to trade up to seven days per week.