THEN AND NOW: 50 years of Salamanca Market

Tasmania’s number one tourist attraction is celebrating 50 years of shopping, creative makers and fresh produce as organisers look towards its bright future. WHAT’S NEXT >>

AS Salamanca Market celebrated its 50th birthday, glass blower Jemma Clements reflected on how important is has been to three generations of her family.

Her father, renowned glass blower Richard Clements, set up a stall to sell his work at the market 45 years ago.

Now her two teenage daughters, Olive and Issey, help on the stall she took over from her father and which sells glass mushrooms and perfume bottles.

“I’ve been coming here since I was in nappies,” Ms Clements, 46, laughs.

“It has always been such a social place and as kids we would run around and run amok so I remember when I was little dad put a sign on my back saying ‘glass blowers’ daughter, please return’.

“We would go and jump off the wharf when it was hot with the other stallholders’ kids.”

Ms Clements said her father still visits the market from his home at Franklin and still loves the atmosphere.

Salamanca Market stallholder Jemma Clements Hand Blown Glass. Picture: Chris Kidd

Salamanca Stallholders Association president Emma Hope also came to the market as a young child with her late mother who was one of the first stallholders with her retro and vintage clothing – a stall she now runs.

“It’s in my blood,” Ms Hope said.

“The people here are my market family.

“From humble beginnings 50 years ago we’ve gone from about 30 stallholders to 300.

“It has changed significantly from just having fresh produce and bric-a-brac to being a showcase for the best of Tasmania’s unique products from creative makers.”

Despite Covid taking its toll and leaving many stallholders struggling and without any income, Ms Hope believes the future is bright for the market.

Salamanca Market Stallholders Association President Emma Hope at the Salamanca Market. Picture: Chris Kidd

“It’s Tasmania’s number one tourist attraction and it’s known around the world,” she said.

“I can only see it getting bigger and better.”

Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds remembers going to Salamanca when she visited her Hobart grandmother Isabelle Reynolds who was on the organising committee of the first market in Salamanca in 1971 before it was taken over by the council in 1972.

“At that stage I think I was only interested in the fairy floss but I’m wearing a pair of ear rings I bought here in my late teens made of porcelain,” Ms Reynolds said.

“It is such an icon for Hobart and the experience speaks to who we are as a city.

“I think it has been so successful for 50 years because of the backdrop, the sandstone buildings, the trees and the water.

“It is a great place for people to come and get high quality authentic products.”

Tourists flock to Salamanca Markets

THE Lander family arrived in Hobart from Brisbane at noon on Saturday and headed straight to Salamanca Market.

Jo Lander said it was the family’s first visit to Tasmania and they were pleased the iconic market met their expectations.

“So many friends had been to Salamanca and said ‘you’ve just got to go’ and so we came straight here,” Ms Lander said.

“It’s just what I expected – it’s very good.

“There is such a variety of good and there are some lovely locally produced goods.

“I’m not sure we need warm clothing the family for the Brisbane weather.”

Cooper 13, Jo, Dave and Bailey Lander 15 of Brisbane at the Salamanca Market. Picture: Chris Kidd

The family took in every stall at the market, enjoyed lunch and loved the alcoholic and non-alcoholic ginger beer they sampled.

“It’s such a great spot for a market, the location is amazing so close to the water and there was a bit of a breeze so it wasn’t too hot,” Ms Lander said.

The family is enjoying a short break before the boys return to school on January 31.

Ms Lander said she was pleased people were wearing masks.

“We’re used to wearing masks and we were pleased that everyone here does too,” she said.

“We’re fortunate we didn’t have to be Covid tested before we came here.

“We’ve got a lot of activities planned for outside including going to Bruny and Mona.”