Ferny Grove Markets close for second time since 1963

A once-vibrant community market that began in 1963 will close for the second time, only four months after staging a comeback.

Ferny Grove Markets established in 1963 close for second time

Ferny Grove Markets, once one of the biggest in Brisbane, has closed for a second time after a much-anticipated comeback earlier this year.

Residents in the northwest suburb have shared their heartache over the closure of an institution that began in 1963, bringing locals and stallholders together.

Originally held every Sunday at the Ferny Grove train station carpark, they transitioned after the Transport Orientated Development opened several years ago at the site.

The markets moved to the Brisbane Tramway Museum, on the first Saturday of each month, in March 2024 after a one-year hiatus.

Colin Smith, who has been president for four decades, last week announced June 1 would be its last market.

“As time has gone on our committee has gotten a lot older and they don’t want to get up at 4am,” Mr Smith said.

“We held the markets at the museum on a trial basis and they’ve now put the price (rent) up.

“And no one at the museum is able to wake up early to let us into the grounds.

“I offered to borrow a key to do it myself, but that wasn’t possible.’’

Mr Smith said they had been more than a place to buy food and stall items, serving as a hub for the community to catch up each week.

“That is what people have said they miss the most,’’ he said.

“It became such a friendly market that the whole community really looked forward to, people now sometimes don’t get to see their friends.

Mr Smith said the markets served as a vibrant community hubs for friends to catch up weekly.

“It finished up being such a huge market, (it is) such a shame it will once again be taken away from this wonderful community we have here in Ferny Grove.’’

Ferny Grove resident John Goodship agreed it was much more than somewhere to get a bargain.

“They were also are a community meeting place,” Mr Goodship said.

“Let’s hope there is some place else, nearby, that can be found to bring it back.’’

Another resident, Rosalie Matthews, said she was very disappointed to hear the news.

“It was really great having them back,” she said.

Mr Smith said he was working to resume the markets at another location that was yet to be confirmed.

“We will keep fighting for the market and hopefully can find another home soon,” he said.