In early March we concluded a two-day Partners’ Market outside the Main Kohima Post Office. What is Partners’ Market all about? (Note: the right way to spell it is with the apostrophe at the end.)
Partners’ Market started in 2018 with six partners with the same dream of taking the market to the people. Part of the market agenda is to offer discounts that customers would not ordinarily get in shops. Of the six partners, Gutouch sells handmade jewellery. Gutouch is already a familiar name with musicians modelling her exquisite necklaces and earrings in the narrow fashion world of Kohima. Owned by Gugu Kuotsu, Gutouch has also hosted courses in traditional practices such as basic weaving for children, which was highly successful. Many items of her jewellery are a fusion of modern and traditional.
1052 Store sells home décor, decoupage crafts and items that would brighten up any interior. 1052 Store is run by Athole Tomar, formerly a Major in the Indian army. She collects her pieces from different parts of the country. Some of the items are made by elderly widows who earn a marginal profit on their handicrafts.
Poeima is a homebound enterprise by Akuonuo Medom. Cakes and desserts are her forte. It gathers strong evidence that most Nagas have a sweet tooth judging by the manner in which her goods get sold out and need to be replenished again.
Akru sells a great variety of plants ranging from succulents to unusual tree saplings such as Japanese cherry blossom, fig tree saplings and cuttings. Akru’s interest in plants started at a very young age. Around 2008, he received encouragement from a neighbour who would sell his flowers and ask him to grow more plants. The encouragement worked and his hobby became a profession. He has a bit of everything at his greenhouse, seasonal flowers and indoor plants included. Akru always acknowledges that he has continued in this profession because of the untiring support given by his parents.
Little Niceties runs a gift store in the Kesa Market. They are specialists at making unique gifts for occasions like Mother’s Day, Easter, Christmas, Father’s Day and so on. The multitalented owners make different handmade items. Owned by sisters Rose Chasie, Elizabeth Chasie and Margaret Chasie, Little Niceties is tucked away in a corner of the Kesa Market with many treasures waiting to be discovered.
Barkweaver publishes and sells books ranging from works of poetry and fiction to academic topics and children’s books. Partners’ Market is a good venue for Barkweaver to give discounts on many of their books primarily to children and students as well as to general customers. So far, local village libraries have come forward to receive book contributions from Barkweaver.
Partners’ Market started off initially with these six partners but have been joined by additional partners. The Market is a fun event which encourages Naga entrepreneurship. It also gives a place for people to hang out and get to meet friends and buy some great original items while they are having fun. The market had received some very good feedback and been likened to European outdoor markets. One customer thanked the partners for brightening up the town in an area where only parked cars are to be found on an average day.
Opera Café is one of the new partners. With their menu of Indian paratha and excellent coffee they are a very welcome addition. Opera café kept the market open beyond 6 pm with many of their customers showing up late and wanting to linger.
Style India is a new partner, a clothing business owned by Azai. With a good eye for colours and styles, Azai personally chooses garments that suit the budget of both working women and students. Her stall is a crowd puller and it says a lot for the discerning taste of the owner.
The Makers – a craft and design gallery – came on board at the last moment. Owner Margaret Zinyü is very passionate about protecting the rights of the indigenous craftsman and his/her craft an restoring value to native arts and crafts. She has been selling beautifully crafted bamboo bowls among other items. Margaret joins the Market as a new partner.
So there it is – a spontaneously set up Market which has been complimented as visually appealing and ‘charming.’ The concept is to prioritise small businesses that would otherwise not come to the notice of the customer. At the same time, it is about giving the best options to the buyer in an open space.
