Brisbane's Indoor Market VEND Is Opening a Second Pet-Friendly Shopping Hub in Annerley
Already a hit in Brisbane's north, this retail space filled with small businesses is setting up shop in the city's south as well.
If you're a fan of plant sales, Christmas markets — including in July — and stalls dedicated to dogs, then you might've made a trip to VEND Marketplace in Virginia over the past few years. Since opening back in 2018, the northside shopping space has hosted all of the above, and operated as a haven for small local businesses day in, day out. Indeed, all of those events have been designed to bring in folks not just to buy greenery, get festive, and watch corgi and dachshund races, but to get them shopping at the 120-plus retailers within the Sandgate Road venue.
That's the kind of aim Brisbane's indoor hub for small businesses was aways going to have — a permanent indoor market, in fact — but it also boasts a cafe and outdoor lawn area as well. Plus, in ace news for the pooches of Brisbane, it's pet-friendly. Unsurprisingly, the concept has proven popular, so much so that VEND is now expanding to the city's south.
From April, there'll be no need to cross the river to browse VEND's marketplace, or to hit up its events. Instead, shoppers will be able to head to Annerley, with the venue making its second home on Annerley Road.
Like its sibling site, this marketplace will operate seven days a week, hosting 120-plus local businesses and creatives in one spot. There'll also be a cafe onsite, outdoor seating and, yes, pets will be welcome.
As well as duplicating its operations on the other side of Brisbane, VEND's second outpost will also feature workshop spaces on its upper level, which'll be available to hire. Owner Amy Hinschen is also hoping that both the community and locals will make use of the venue's second-floor, whether for events or classes.
VEND will make its Annerley debut on Saturday, April 8 with a day of grand opening festivities from 8am–4pm, and plenty of shops to peruse.
If you're new to VEND, it features local small businesses and creatives slinging everything from clothing, homewares and furniture through to art, records and vintage collectables.
In Virginia, its cafe serves up pumpkin bruschetta, smashed avo, corn and zucchini fritters, and boysenberry waffles as part of its all-day breakfast menu, and whips up five types of burgers for lunch. The middle-of-the-day lineup also spans lemon and herb crusted barramundi, pork san choy bow, two types of pizza and chicken schnitzels. And, to drink, options include a caffeine fix, juice, smoothies, milkshakes, and a small range of beer and wine.
Find VEND Marketplace Annerley at 289 Annerley Road, Annerley from Saturday, April 8 — with its shops open from 8am–4pm, and its cafe from 7am–3pm.
VEND Marketplace Virginia is located at 1768 Sandgate Road, Virginia, with the same operating hours.
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