The Tribune

Lunch vendors have been brought together at one location by three Bahamian entrepreneurs in the belief that their collective strength will yield greater economic benefits for all.

Tin Ferl’s Pop-Up Park at The Dundas Centre for The Performing Arts launched on Monday. Tin Ferl was founded in June 2019 by three friends - Kendrick Delaney, founder of The New Duff; Brandon Kemp, founder of the Nassau Night Market; and Alicia ‘Puppy’ Robinson Treco; founder of Pup Star Entertainment - who joined forces to address some of the issues facing “pop-up” vendors.

“This ‘Palmdale oasis’ is an everyday lunch spot where visitors can find pop-up vendors and stylish food trucks selling a wide variety of affordable food and drink options,” said Ms Robinson Treco. “People can stop by, grab a delicious lunch to go or they can stay, relax and eat on these beautiful, tree-lined grounds. It’s a unique location that patrons and vendors alike are going to love.”

The trio believe Tin Ferl’s formation will advocate for the pop-up community, be a centre for information and networking, and provide vendors with opportunities to develop their businesses and sell their products.

Membership has grown to 100-plus vendors, who have serviced community events such as Aliv’s Back to School Fair; the Downtown Nassau Partnership’s Independence Pride Festival; Soundwaves Music Festivals; and the Night Market.

“Our name Tin Ferl - Bahamian for Tin Foil - is what we are all about,” said Mr Kemp. “A single piece of foil is easy to tear. But when you layer foil, stacking one piece on top of another on top of another, it becomes very strong. Tin Ferl is dedicated to uniting and supporting small businesses, and to providing the pop-up community with affordable, stable and rewarding locations to sell their products.

“This park is a beautiful, spacious spot where pop-up vendors can sell their products Monday through Saturday, not just waiting for the next pop-up event or festival. We want this to be the home for Pop-Up vendors, where they can work full-time at building their businesses because they have an affordable, ideal location from which to build a strong following. We are very grateful to our sponsors, Aliv and Sign Island, for their support in helping make the Pop-Up Park a reality.”

Black Pearl Bubble Tea, The New Duff, Tipsea, Junior’s Jerk, Cabana Club, Natural Scrubs, Fancy Jonsa and the Night Market Smoothie Bar participated in last week’s soft launch. Hundreds of customers visited the Park to enjoy grilled fish, jerk chicken, boiled food, vegan dishes and desserts, ginger pork stuffed buns, refreshing drinks and other flavours offered by vendors.

“Being out here is affordable,” said Mr Delaney. “For as little as $20 per day, vendors can sell their products in this beautiful garden setting here at The Dundas. They can come once a week, three times a week. It is very flexible.

“And for artisans and craft persons who may want to sell their products but aren’t able to be here, we have initiated the Community Booth. You can arrange to bring your products to the Pop-Up Park and we will sell them for you.”

Bahamians are invited to Take a Break with Tin Ferl at the Pop-Up Park, from Monday through Saturday, between 10am and 5pm.