An icon of Melbourne’s north will be brought back on June 17 when the Pipeworks Market makes its return.
Originally established in 1987 in Campbellfield, not too far from Ford Australia’s assembly plant, a place enriched in the story of Greeks in Melbourne.
It was a place of community and cultural significance in the northern suburbs, with stalls and eateries from many backgrounds, including Greek.
Located at a new site, 5 Dunstans Court Thomastown, the market will contain over 300 stalls including fruit and vegetables, takeaway foods, fashion and electronics, hardware and plants, second hand goods, furniture and even fresh bread and eggs.
Alongside this, entertainment will be available, just like the old market, with amusements and rides in a designated family area. There will be roving entertainment like wrestling and car shows as well as regular cultural, community and children stage shows.
An international food court will also be on offer for visitors, with a variety of ready-to-eat-foods.
General manager Bernie Dunn told Neos Kosmos he tried to mirror the old Pipeworks as much as possible.
It’s been a long road, a decade long with many obstacles in the way for Dunn to finally bring back the beloved market.
“I’d been looking for a site for Pipeworks Market since I closed the Campbellfield operation…it’s not easy to place an operation like Pipeworks which needs an extremely large undercover space or warehouse, space for 1000 car parks, good access, and a secure environment,” he said.
“Pipeworks was initially going to Broadmeadows after the Campbellfield closure, but after taking over two years waiting for the necessary permits to operate, the owners of the Broadmeadows site lost patience and disappointingly scrapped the project.
“Over three years ago now, Paul Dimarelos, the owner of the Thomastown site, contacted me and we agreed to set up our market in Thomastown.
“Then along came COVID which caused a delay of two years. Our opening was then scheduled for May 2022, but some issues associated with our operating permits were raised which forced us to delay the opening.
“The Thomastown site could have been leased many times over for any other use, but Paul was adamant in wanting Pipeworks on his site.”
Pipeworks now has their approvals, and with a new carpark completed, they’re ready to open next Saturday on June 17.
