With a number of new markets popping up in and around Cape Town, the newest kid on the block is offering a fresh approach to the traditional market setting, both in size and operational founding.
Established by a husband and wife duo - Kirstin and Shane Copeland, the team behind Mystery Fun Club, a private art studio that showcases a range of pieces by local artists and offers tattooing services - the Super Mini-Market officially launched on 30 August 2025.
Taking place at the Flour Market in Gardens, the co-founder of Super Mini-Market, Kirstin Copeland, provides insight into how their idea came to life in an exclusive interview with Time Out.
"We met up with David Donde, who owns Flour Market, at the end of July and pitched the idea. He was cool enough to let us run with it! We didn’t quite know how the first one would go, so a second one was kinda up in the air based on that. Then a whole bunch of people showed up and had fun, and now we’re officially a market."
Curating the market around one-of-a-kind creations by talented designers, creatives, and the like, Kirsten adds that the inspiration for the market came from the need for a space to showcase artists' work: "We’ve never felt like our work really fits in anywhere when it comes to markets or retail."
Unlike other popular longstanding markets, the Super Mini-Market was born out of the collaboration of friends and fellow creatives, with no investors backing their initiative. The participating vendors and founders worked together to create everything from the signage to decor and promo items.
"We have friends who are animators, voiceover artists, DJs, designers, photographers, admin support, and physical labour - and they’ve all come out of the woodwork to try and help us make it cool. It would absolutely not be possible without all of their help," adds Kirstin.
Mini but mighty
While the name of the market gives away that it is 'super mini', with only space for 20 vendors, it has curated its offering to ensure that all products sold are professionally handmade and stand out from one another, "even if it’s the same thing," adds Kirstin.
In addition to showcasing a range of creative vendors, the market also offers a fresh cuppa joe from Truth Coffee, a tattoo stand, clothing, food, and more.
When asked to share three unique vendors that stand out in the market, Kirstin highlighted the following:
- Spook Design Co. for sure! He’s a super talented designer and makes the coolest resin toys (which most people mistook for bath bombs last time, so we hope he’ll have a bucket of water to showcase their durability at the next one).
- Danielle Hitchcock is also another exceptionally cool illustrator, and being able to buy prints of her work is a damn treat.
- Fokof Lager, which is single-handedly run by Snake Venter from Fokofpolisiekar. Their beer is great. Their branding rules. And it’s a total honour having them be a part of our very small / very new event.
The markets will be operating quarterly, with the next event taking place on 29 November 2025 from 10am to 6pm.
Need to know info
Address: 105 Hope St, Gardens, Cape Town
Frequency: Quarterly, be sure to keep your eyes on their social media channels.
Sign up to Time Out Cape Town's free newsletter for expert recommendations on new things to do, see, eat and drink in the Mother City. You can also follow Time Out Cape Town on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok!