Emerging markets produced great returns last year, but there were also several reminders of how risky they can be. In May and June, fears of interest rate hikes in some of the most developed nations sparked a broad-based selloff in emerging-market debt and equity. Then a military coup in Thailand sent the local stock market down 15% in December as capital controls were implemented. And the president-elect of Ecuador roiled the local debt market when he reiterated plans to “restructure”...
Lineups threaten to stall Fredericton’s hot samosa market
Posted in shopping | Wednesday, January 31st, 2007 | Trackback
Two vendors at Boyce Farmers’ Market in Frederictonare apparently becoming victims of their own success now that they are being told to takethe lineups for their samosas outside.
The spicy Indian pastries sold at Patel’s and Samosa Delitehave becomeso popular at the market that their lineups are becoming a problem.
Patel’s has been in business for 30 years, and Samosa Delite for 17 years. Mohan Iyengar, owner of Samosa Delite, says he sells between 7,000 and 10,000 samosas every Saturday.
“Fredericton has changed in its food habits in the last 15 years, as I’ve seen” Iyengar said. “It used to be a meat and potatoes city, but not anymore. People are wanting more, wanting more variety, different ethnic foods, more spice.”
That want iscausing theweekly rush on samosas,and market executive director Ken McGeorge says that rush is hurting other businesses in the market because samosa seekers are blocking access to other stalls.
Management has tried moving the samosa sellersto other parts of the market, and has hired security guards to keep the lines in order.McGeorge says there’s only one move left.
“Having tried everything inside the building, the plan now is to move the samosas to the established food court outside,” he said.
McGeorge says he doubts frigid weather will impact the samosa vendors’ revenue.
“I’ve never heard a complaint from the other food court vendors,” McGeorge said. “They seem to do a brisk business wheter it’s 40 below or 40 above.”
Iyengar says he has another logicistal problem with being moved outside. Fresh samosas arebrought to his stall at the market every half hour, buta move to the food court would change that.
“To prepare our product at the site, we will have to have extensive equipment,” Iyengar said. “You have to think about whether it’s worthwhile to invest in that kind of equipment for one day a week.”
Iyengar said he hasn’t decided whether he will set up in the new location on Saturday.
“Looking at all the practicalities, it may not be possible to go.”
