What makes a place a destination?
Sometimes it's the authentic experience of everyday living.
Frank and I took this video as we walked thru the Queen Victoria Market in downtown Melbourne. Note: This is a walk down just one of the three produce aisles (so you have to multiply by 3 to get a feel for the whole produce experience). Then add two more corridors for butchers and fish mongers. And another 2 corridors for cheese, cold cuts and bread. Why don't more cities have such amazing markets? It's a chicken and egg thing. You need the critical mass of merchants to make it highly experiential. The critical mass won't come unless the demand is there. The trick? Mutual commitment. The market commits to bring the best of local and regional foods (as well as exotics and hard-to-finds). Area restaurants commit to buy fresh every morning. Residents commit to buy fresh twice a week. Everyone commits to a larger than life vision. A good destination becomes an amazing destination.
Very cool.
