Traders who’ve opened and closed at Adelaide’s Central Market, Market Plaza in past 12 months

Multiple Central Market traders have closed over the past year, while others have opened amid a $400m expansion. See the list.

Seven businesses have closed at Adelaide’s Central Market and Market Plaza in the past 12 months – but the market says a $400m expansion and 39-storey tower will bring in new traders and customers.

From fruit and veg shops that have been there for nearly 50 years, to Japanese pancake specialists, supermarkets and smallgoods stores, market stalls have closed – with several saying the expansion had affected sales.

It comes as SA battles a cost-of-living and hospitality crisis that has affected dozens of cafes, restaurants and other eateries.

A spokesperson for Adelaide Central Market said the market was not immune from the rising cost of living.

“However traders are endeavouring to maintain low pricing to remain competitive,” the spokesperson said.`

They said all stalls in the market were currently leased.

First look inside the new Adelaide Central Market redevelopment plans. Picture: Supplied

First look inside the new Adelaide Central Market redevelopment plans. Picture: Supplied

But businesses such as Obun Chef said they had been significantly affected by the redevelopment, which formed part of their reason for closing.

The market spokesperson said they were working with builder Multiplex, owner Adelaide City Council, and developer ICD Property to minimise disruption caused by construction.

Despite more closures than openings in the past 12 months, the market expansion had attracted 193 expressions of interest from potential traders, the spokesperson said.

The Market Square expansion will accommodate almost 1000 government workers inside a new commercial office space, a 39-storey tower, a supermarket alongside 123 retail tenancies.

The Treehouse Hotel, will include 248 rooms, 231 luxury residences and childcare facilities, a restaurant and bar with outdoor seating, a street-front cafe, event spaces, and fitness and wellness facilities.

It’s expected to attract more than 10 million visitors to the market every year,

CLOSURES

Con’s Fruit and Veg at Stall 52

Adelaide Central Market announced the departure of Con’s Fruit and Veg from Stall 52, following the retirement of shop’s owner Con, Lina, Peter and Christina.

The stall was operated by the owners for 45 years and is now set to receive a brand new look from SA Central Fresh who will occupy the space of “high-quality fruit and veg”.

Whole + Some, closed on March 28 2024

After 33 years, bulk food store Whole + Some – formerly known as Goodies + Grains – announced its closure on social media.

The redevelopment had significantly impacted sales, with co-founder and owner Chris Martin saying that he no longer justify running the business.

They officially closed on Thursday, March 28.

Standom Smallgoods

In 2010, Stan Ciechanowicz, owner of Standom Smallgoods, celebrated 50 years in the business. On August 3rd 2024, the butcher closed at Stall 9 at Adelaide Centre Market, after more the 40 years at the market. Picture: Russell Millard

Founder/owner of Standom Smallgoods, Stan Ciechanowicz (pictured), was the first inductee into the Australian Sausage King Hall of Fame. On August 3rd 2024, the butcher closed at Stall 9 at Adelaide Centre Market, after more the 40 years at the market. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

Renowned Adelaide butcher, Standom Smallgoods, closed its Central Market location at Stall nine, on August 3, after 47 years.

Sandy Monz, who managed the market for 17 years, noted that producers and wholesalers were being overshadowed by eateries and takeaway shops.

She feared it would transform the market into a social hub, after observing customers walking past traditional shops for food outlets.

Stall nine was later taken over by Fleurieu Milk Company.

In 2013, Standom Smallgood was acquired by the Knoll family, owners of Barossa Fine Foods.

Obun Chef

Beloved Obun Chef, a Japanese pancake business known for its obanyaki, stopped trading on July 27, after nearly 20 years at Adelaide Market Plaza Precinct.

Owned by Jane and Michael Chiu, the business reported a change in customer trends, after the construction started on the redevelopment.

Judy Chiu, speaking for her parents, shared their devastation, citing the redevelopment’s impact on parking and customer access as one of the reasons for the closure.
Ms Chiu expressed gratitude to their loyal customers, and said they couldn’t find a suitable new location to continue their business – but contemplated doing “pop ups”.

Kim Wang Supermarket

Kim Wang supermarket in the Adelaide Central Markets in May, 2014. The popular supermarket closed after operating for 28 years at the market. Picture: Tait Schmaal.

Cherished Asian grocery store Kim Wang Supermarket, fully shut at the end of April, after 28 years inside the Central Market Plaza.

The supermarkets’ owners decided to retire instead of selling the business.

The closure was announced on social media with loyal customers expressing their sadness, in the weeks leading up to the closure.

One Facebook user described the supermarket as integral to the Central Market’s character, while others dubbed it as the “best Asian supermarket in Adelaide”.

Aces

After more than 30 years in the Central Market, Aces – formerly known as Aces Bar & Bistro – closed in early 2022, then attempted a relaunch at a new spot in Chinatown.

The operators hoped offering new Italian dining options in Chinatown would revive the iconic diner.

But after just six weeks of operation at the two-storey site on Gouger and Moonta streets, the Italian restaurant closed for good, unable to sustain operations.

OPENING

The Greek Place

Known for its popular food trucks at Adelaide festivals, The Greek Palace made the leap and opened its first permanent shop in Central Market Plaza.

Xanthos Hatzimihail opened the Greek Palace inside the Central Market, in July last year. Picture: Matt Loxton

The business opened in late June – opposite the former Obun Chef Japanese site – with owner Xanthos Hatzimihail hoping it would balance out seasonal demands.

Last year, Mr Hatzimihail told The Advertiser business has been slow since opening – noting that he signed a lease when the food court was fully operational.

Coles

Coles is set to return to Adelaide Central Market precinct, once the Market Square development is finished in late 2026.

The supermarket closed its previous store at Central Market Arcade in May 2022, to make way for the $400m project.

The new 1700sq m Coles will sit on the upper level of Market Square’s specialty retail area – which will prioritise local producers.

OMG! Decadent Donuts

The Adelaide Central Market has opened up Stall 16 to different traders, and has seen more 150 “local and regional food and beverage business” set up a “pop-up shop”, since 2017.

Ally Sullivan with the award-winning OMG Decadent Donuts. Picture: Kelly Barnes

OMG! Decadent Donuts are currently stationed at Stall 16 until October 14, as part of the ‘Producer in Residence’, run by Adelaide Central Market. Picture: Supplied

“It has been a launching pad for some of the Market’s well known traders – Saudade, Les Deux Coqs and Turkish delight,” the spokesperson said.

Currently, OMG! Decadent Donuts are trading at the stall until October 14. The gluten-free and vegan business has attracted a loyal fan base for their good ol’ fashioned cinnamon doughnut” and their range of new flavours such as “Lucious lemon, Strawberry Patch or Choc Mint Bliss”.

Originally published as Traders who’ve opened and closed at Adelaide’s Central Market, Market Plaza in past 12 months