September is one of those lovely in-between months. There are still warm, sunny days to enjoy, but the first golden colours of autumn are beginning to appear. Across the Covered Market, that change of season brings new flavours, new stock, fresh starts and plenty to look forward to.
For Will at Alpha Bar, September is all about abundance. He calls it “the single most bountiful month of the year”, with market gardener David Blake harvesting tomatoes, squash, potatoes, aubergines, peppers, courgettes, leaves and herbs. “The menu at Alpha Bar has never been more robust with flavour, aromatics and vitality.”
Seasonal flavours are appearing elsewhere too. Graham at iScream looks forward to “lots of new autumnal flavours – such as fig, quince, apple & greengage”, while James at David John Butchers says September marks “the start of the game season”, with venison, grouse, partridge and rabbits arriving.
The changing weather also means it’s time to get cosy. For Marian at Woollen Cosy Life, “September is when our wool season truly begins”, while Jess at The Woolhound calls it “the unofficial start of knitting and crochet season”, with new autumn yarns arriving throughout the month.
There’s a feeling of renewal too. Liz at Jemini Flowers says: “A new season brings a fresh start”, reflected in an autumn range combining fresh blooms with dried flowers. At Y.O.U Underwear, Sarah enjoys the calmer pace after summer, with more time for “deeper conversations, more personal service” and preparing the shop for autumn.
For Space Store, that fresh start is quite literal. Lea and the team are refurbishing during September, refreshing the artwork and introducing a new walk-in VR experience ahead of an autumn reopening.
September also brings traditions of its own. At Il Corno, Fanny looks forward to 19 September, when Neapolitans celebrate San Gennaro: “It’s an exciting time of the year, full of hope and renewed energy. We love it!” And with the autumn equinox approaching, Sarah at Crystal Spirit Emporium turns towards “earthy stabilising crystals” including Labradorite, Red Jasper and Agate.
Meanwhile, some traders are already looking further ahead. Vini at Oxford Soap Company sums it up perfectly: “So, here we go… Christmas prep starts NOW!” At Wicked Chocolate, Jen is preparing for Halloween while getting excited as the first Christmas stock begins to arrive.
That’s the real joy of September in the Covered Market. Summer hasn’t completely disappeared, autumn is just getting started and there’s a wonderful sense of something new around the corner. Pop in, enjoy the best of both worlds and see what September has brought to the Market. And don’t forget our mostly free evening events throughout September.