Christmas trading is ramping up at Melbourne’s Queen Victoria Market, with up to 240,000 shoppers expected in the lead-up to December 25.
Veteran fishmonger George Milonas, who will work his 21st Christmas at the market, said the final days before Christmas are always the busiest, with customers lining up well before dawn.
“I think we had our first customer at 3.15 am last year (on December 23) … the last market day before Christmas is by far our busiest day,” Milonas said.
He expects to sell about half a tonne of lobsters and more than 12,000 oysters in the coming week.
To manage demand, Queen Victoria Market has added extra trading days on December 24 and December 31.
Across the market, traders are preparing to sell about 16,500 kilograms of cooked prawns, 45,000 kilograms of cherries and 20,000 kilograms of ham, alongside popular festive items such as turkeys, cheeses, charcuterie and puddings.
Queen Victoria Market chief executive Matt Elliott said the final days before Christmas are when the market “truly comes into its own”, bringing Melburnians together to shop and celebrate.
Festive entertainment, including roving Santas, live music and performers, will also feature throughout the site.
Source: Herald Sun.
