Market vendor Luisa Reece has expressed her appreciation for the newly constructed Nakasi Market, highlighting it as a significant enhancement for vendors to sell their goods.
“We are truly thankful that the government has addressed our request for a market,” Ms. Reece stated. She reflected on the previous conditions at Nakasi, where vendors endured harsh weather while trying to sell their products.
“Vendors had to sit out in the rain and sun; everyone was struggling to survive,” she noted, adding her gratitude for the shelter the new market provides.
Now, vendors can comfortably wait for customers under one roof. Ms. Reece remarked on the differences in customer interaction: “Previously, most customers would drive by, making it difficult for us to serve them. Now, inside the new market, we can relax while waiting for customers.”
The new market’s location is said to be advantageous for both vendors and shoppers. “Customers can park their vehicles and walk around to purchase vegetables and root crops,” she explained. She compared this with the old setup along the main road, stating that the rushing traffic hindered customers from properly examining the goods.
Additionally, Ms. Reece spoke about the challenges faced at the former temporary sheds located next to the main road, mentioning that the town council often forced vendors away. “The new Nakasi market brings many improvements for our assistance,” she noted.
Coming from Nayavutoka village in Ra, Ms. Reece highlighted the market’s accessibility, noting that it is closer to both Korovou Town and Suva than Rakiraki Town. “We only need to take one bus to Suva, which is why we decided to sell our produce here,” she added.
In instances where she cannot sell all her goods, Ms. Reece mentioned the possibility of leaving her remaining produce with other vendors to sell on her behalf. She emphasized the benefits of the new market, where the produce can be securely stored, free from the daily hassle of transport. “I sell lemons, pawpaws, pumpkin, and cassava that we’ve brought from the village,” she shared.
Typically, Ms. Reece is joined by her daughter in selling their products. Interestingly, she is also related to All Blacks rugby player Sevu Reece, as she is a cousin of Sevu’s father.