Saturdays at Sanepa Market

The Event House organizes, manages and designs events such as commercial, wedding, and corporate events. Sanepa market comes under one of those events.

Sanepa market was launched last February, 2021, right after the first lockdown. The market was an impulsive idea that bloomed into success. Sanepa market is a hub for small and big businesses to open up their stalls and sell on Saturdays in both Jalpa and Kyampa.

There are two markets: Sanepa market at Jalpa, and Sanepa market at Kyampa.

“When I was small I used to beg my sister to take me to Basantapur’s night market that lasted from 4-8 PM. All the fancy accessories, food stands, and cool hipster people used to grab my attention. We haven’t seen such markets in recent years. We spend our evenings at parties or dinners, and the concept of a recreational space where you can just hang out was missing, that was the inspiration behind Sanepa market.” says Nirvana T, one of the founders of Sanepa market.

The other two founders include Maya G, and Amsu A.

Sanepa market encourages a diverse palette of vendors every week. It is a space where businesses can network and market their craft and vision. Every Saturday from 3PM to 8PM, you can visit Sanepa market at Jalpa Coffee, which lies opposite to the British School at Sanepa.

Thrifting is a western culture which is making its way through Nepal. Every alternative Wednesday of the month, a thrift edition of Sanepa market takes place where only second hand and reusable products can be sold. The thrift market helps take a sustainable leap forward and utilizes clothes and products that are no longer worn by the owners.

Sanepa market encourages a diverse palette of vendors every week. The platform is set out to any person who wants to sell their craft. Sanepa market welcomes young entrepreneurs, house wives, and anyone else who has a hobby they want to sell.

Some of the businesses that have been spotted in Sanepa market are ‘Mero craft’, ‘Mero kicks’, ‘Logo fashion’, ‘Sweet lime’, and much more.

The cost to rent a table is Rs 800, but Sanepa market has fixed some stalls free of cost for charitable businesses and vendors such as ‘Animal Nepal’, ‘Sneha’s care’, ‘Human welfare’ which stand for strong causes.

The expansion of Sanepa market proves to show that there are many youths and women who have a side hustle that requires attention and space. Whether you’re at home making pickles, baking goods, or crafting materials, Sanepa market gives you the space to bring it out to the market.

The lockdown was a period when people could really focus and give time to their ideas and craft, Sanepa market recognized that and created a bonding space where you can market and interact every Saturday with others of your kind.

Within recent years, consumer behavior has changed drastically. In Nepal, importing brands and products was the only culture we knew. Tourists used to shop in the local handmade shops, and we the Nepalese turned towards trends and brands that had to be imported. However, nowadays, youths enjoy sustainable, local and purposeful businesses. Women and youths are getting their spaces in markets and sharpening their home craft.