Ballina’s Bonanza is a rare commodity
Ballina’s Bonanza Fruit Market is a rare commodity these days — an independent greengrocery.
And despite a move from the Boulevard Shopping Centre across the road to River Street, proprietor Karel van Engelen, pictured, says he will remain independent, offering fresh fruit and vegies at prices comparable with or better than the big supermarket chains.
Karel made the move this week after 17 years in the Boulevard. He says his new position at 95 River Street, next to the newsagency, will give his business better exposure, and after only four days of trading, he believes he has made the right move — trading was up on opening day (Wednesday), was better on Thursday, and even better on Friday.
Karel, who says he is the only independent greengrocer in Ballina, sources about a quarter of his produce locally. The rest is obtained from Rocklea Markets in Brisbane.
Karel bought the Bonanza 17 years ago. Before that, the Dutch-born man had a fruit run for 10 years, travelling throughout the district to sell his goods.
In between the fruit run and the Bonanza, Karel returned to Europe for three years, driving trucks.
He spent a year as a truckie in France, then another two years trucking through Europe.
What drew him back to Ballina? “No traffic lights. And sunshine,” he told Ballina.Info.
Despite claims that the drought has forced prices to skyrocket, Karel says there are still some bargains to be had. In fact, he says the prices of some vegies, such as onions and potatoes, are pretty much the same as when he started the fruit run 30 years ago. And he pointed to the apples in his shop, which are selling for $2 a kilo.
Another selling point for the Bonanza is availability — Karel opens seven days a week.
