- Look out for the upcoming Valentine Edition
With the past successes of The Island Market, Founder Nisreen Dissanayake is stepping it up, with the latest edition of The Island Market – the Valentine Edition – to be held on 12 February 2022 at 570/3, Marine Drive, Colpetty.
Speaking to Dissanayake about the upcoming edition of The Island Market, she noted that this time, there are some exciting new additions to the initiative, most notably their partnership with Swashakthi Foundation of Persons with Disability and Sahanaya – National Council for Mental Health and their Gorakana Residential Facility in Panadura.
The Island Market is offering free spaces for vendors who are with disabilities. Speaking on the matter, Dissanayake shared that they have always been open in this regard even in the past editions of the market, noting that The Island Market has always been inclusive in their policies. “If a vendor were to approach me saying that they find it difficult to make the rent for the space, we have looked into providing relief for them,” she said. Especially considering the pandemic, she noted that many are suffering from a multitude of economic constraints, and to put in the whole day at the market could be a challenge, so she hopes to lend a hand for those who may need it.
She also shared that having done the third edition of the market as a 100% fundraiser where all proceeds from the market were donated, the market has grown into an incredibly inclusive and giving community.
Dissanayake credited her parents and her upbringing for instilling the giving nature she has adopted into her lifestyle. She said that it was imparted on her what it meant to have a “giving heart” and so, when put together with her own personality that loves crowds and gatherings, she said it was only natural that she would start something like The Island Market – a place that has lent itself to creating communities and networks that support one another.
She noted that the market will feature plenty of new products including the usual food, homeware, plants, accessories, etc. “Many of the vendors will be having a lot of Valentine’s Day-themed items; some really creative products that are perfect gift items for your loved ones,” she said. She said that they will also be featuring some newcomers. “We have some new bees in the lineup and hopefully our regulars will enjoy the new stalls and find some things they love,” she added.
Considering that this is in fact the Valentine Edition, Dissanayake also shared that one thing she has always wanted to do was to create a sort of different atmosphere around Valentine’s, sharing that there is really no need for it to be purely based around spouses or romantic partners. “I really want to encourage children to celebrate their moms or dads, for siblings to celebrate one another; it can be any type of love during Valentine’s,” she said.
If you’re looking to shake up your Valentine’s, drop by The Island Market on 12 February 2022 at 570/3, Marine Drive, Colpetty, next to Marine Beach Hotel on Marine Drive – enter through Galle Road adjoining Sri Lanka Tea Board Lane.
