Adelaide Central Market Arcade closes its doors for last time ahead of its demolition in July

Adelaide’s beloved Central Market Arcade has permanently closed for demolition – so where have your favourite traders gone? See the map.

Adelaide Central Market Arcade has closed its doors ahead of its demolition.

The last of 38 traders who have either moved or shut down their businesses will lock up for the final time on Saturday afternoon.

Major tenants Coles and Vintage Cellars closed in May, with other traders progressively moving into new premises over the past two years.

Among them has been long-running Chinese yum cha specialist Ding Hao, South Australia’s first sushi train restaurant, internationally renowned chocolate retailer Haigh’s and seafood retailer, Angelakis.

The arcade – built in the 1960s – will be bulldozed for a $400m redevelopment which involves an expanded market below towers with offices, apartments and a boutique hotel.

The project, Market Square, is a joint venture between Adelaide City Council and a Melbourne-based company, ICD Property.

ICD Property managing director Matthew Khoo outside the Central Market Arcade. Picture: Dean Martin

ICD Property managing director Matthew Khoo said the company’s vision “has always been to create Adelaide’s most vibrant mixed use precinct”.

“Our top priority during this next phase of the project is to maintain business as usual for the Central Market and surrounding businesses,” he said.

“This will allow visitation to thrive as we bring to life the next evolution of this once in a generation destination.”

The council and the Adelaide Economic Development Agency worked with arcade traders who wanted to move into new locations within the CBD.

Map showing the new location of traders formerly in the Central Market Arcade. Picture: Metric

Among them was The Perfect Cup cafe owner Craig Lunn, who moved to the plaza on the western side of the market earlier this month.

Mr Lunn said business had been solid despite the relocation.

“I have to say, it has been really great,” he said.

“I actually budgeted for a decrease in trade and expected that it might be harder for people to find us, but we are basically doing the same amount of sales.”

Architect’s render of the $400m Central Market Arcade redevelopment. Picture: Metric

Seed & Stone owner Tee Smith said the move of her plant-based cafe from the arcade to Pirie St was the “end of an era but also the start of a new chapter”.

Ms Smith said she was rebranding her business as a salad bar in the hope of attracting new customers.

“We’re relaunching and aiming all our products at office workers, rather than the general public,” she said.

“It’s a new beginning for us, we’ll find new locals and new regulars, so it is not too bad.

“A lot of people are actually going to follow us down there too, which is really nice.”

Krakajax employee Pia West at the Central Market Arcade toy and gift shop. Picture: Matt Loxton

Krakajax owner Paul Bradshaw, 49, said he had decided to find a new suburban location for his popular toy and gift shop.

“The city is a bit difficult, and expensive too,” said Mr Bradshaw.

Mr Bradshaw set up shop at the arcade three years ago, starting as a pop-up.

“We’ve always known it was going to close so I’m okay with it changing,” he said.

“We will go somewhere else, definitely. It’s just a matter of where and when.”

Mr Bradshaw said he would stay until the close of trading on Saturday.

Architect’s render of the $400m Central Market Arcade redevelopment. Picture: Metric

Also keeping its doors open until the end was Bailetti Sports which, like Mr Bradshaw, had a giant clearance sale.

Staff member Damien Carlson, 52, said he would start looking for a new job once he locked up on Saturday afternoon.

In the meantime, he would spend next week packing up the shop’s fixtures and fittings.

“That’s the way it is, you have to stay with your employer until the very end,” he said.

“I’m loyal like that.”