Historic Santhià Market Struggles: Stalls Overflowing, Leaving No Room
Vibe Check: Santhià's Market: Modernization and the New Normal
The bustling heart of Santhià - its market - tells a tale of change. Emiliano Pizzanelli, a seasoned shirt seller, witnesses this evolution with a mix of nostalgia and reality. Gone are the days when the market sprawled across the streets, a sight to behold in the Vercelli area. Today, the pandemic, coupled with the rising trend of street vendors either retiring or scaling back, has left its mark.
Market Changes: A Glance Back and a Look Ahead
"We've been trying to fill the void, consolidating stalls and creating new parking spaces," says Pizzanelli. The municipality supports this effort, waiting for proposals to revive the market's former glory. Pizzanelli is the proud owner of a historic stall dating back to the '30s-40s, with loyal customers. However, the expenses and yearly renovations pose a challenge.
Anita Anselmini, running a historic watch and clothing accessories stall alongside her husband, echoes similar sentiments. "We're trimming the market area due to empty spots. The young crowd is noticeably absent," she says. Discussion about a possible relocation to Corso Nuova Italia is on the table, promising a breath of fresh air for local commerce.
Changing Tides in the Food Sector
Normanno Pasteris, a food stall veteran of 49 years, notices the dramatic shift in consumer habits. "People no longer stock up on market goods for the week," he laments. Instead, they opt for supermarkets, where they can find a vast array of options. Santhià's market won't disappear, but selling goods may become increasingly challenging.
Voices from the Crowd: Ezio Ratto and Demographic Factors
Ezio Ratto, a fruit and vegetable vendor, addresses another complicating factor: the demographic decline of Santhià. With a mere 8,000 inhabitants, the city is missing around 20 stalls. The food sector has held up better, offering fresh produce, but Ratto acknowledges the inevitable changes in consumer habits.
As the market faces these challenges, initiatives like promoting local products, diversifying offerings, boosting accessibility, fostering community engagement, digitizing sales, optimizing space, and collaborating with local businesses could help it regain its former vibrancy. It all comes down to embracing the new normal and adapting to the changing times.
"Redefined offerings could be key to attracting the younger crowd, potentially moving stalls to more visible areas like Corso Nuova Italia to increase visibility in the home-and-garden and shopping landscape," says Anita Anselmini, exemplifying the need for change.
"Perhaps lifestyle options, such as freshly prepared meals or artisanal home decor, can entice consumers away from contemporary supermarkets and back to the heart of Santhià market," suggests Emiliano Pizzanelli, hinting at innovative solutions in light of the evolving general-news scene.
