What started as a friendly catch-up between creative moms over a few cups of coffee has blossomed into one of Pretoria’s most beloved lifestyle markets. Fifteen years later, Tierlantynkies is more than just a market. It’s a celebration of local talent, passion, and a whole lot of heart.
Let’s rewind to 2009. Lorette Kunz and Ronel Coetzer were friends, moms, and budding entrepreneurs with a shared love for all things creative. “At the time, we were hosting small house markets and getting to know so many other creatives,” recalls Lorette. “We all had the same struggle – getting our products out there. Retail wasn’t an option with the markups, and opening a store meant massive overheads.”
A casual coffee chat soon turned into a shared dream – to create a platform where passionate makers could connect directly with the public. “We wanted it to be a win-win,” says Ronel. “Makers could sell at fair prices, and market-goers would discover beautiful, handcrafted goods. And the feedback you get from talking to people face to face? Invaluable!”
As moms, they were also looking for something that offered a bit more balance. “We dreamed of a beautiful, big market that felt like a family day out – with food, music, and space for the kids,” Lorette adds.
The first Tierlantynkies came together quickly. “Within two days, we had a venue, a name, and a few excited exhibitors,” says Ronel. That first event – with just 30 exhibitors – was held at The Collection on Garsfontein Road. “It took some convincing to get people on board,” she laughs. “But we were so passionate. We did everything ourselves – even the cleaning!”
That passion paid off. “I still remember how thrilled we were when 400 people came through the gates,” says Lorette. “We sat up half the night calculating handwritten invoices and dreaming about the next one.”
Fifteen years later, Tierlantynkies has grown into one of Pretoria’s biggest lifestyle events, now hosted at Moreleta Church with thousands of visitors and up to 130 handpicked exhibitors. Held twice a year, it’s become a must-visit festival filled with inspiration, music, great food, and small-batch shopping at its best.
“There are so many success stories, but one that immediately comes to mind is Fat Plant,” says Lorette. “John started by decorating someone else’s stand with a few plants. Today, he’s one of our top sellers. He owns a booming business that has grown tenfold over the past few years. He started off with two employees and now employs 25 people. Then there’s Pure Primal, a proudly local skincare brand. “Sylvie started her range after surviving cancer,” Ronel shares. “Her passion is incredible. She quickly became one of our top vendors, and the revenue she earned here helped her expand and grow exponentially.”
And then, of course, there’s the name – as fun to say as the market is to visit. “We loved the nostalgic Afrikaans word Tierlantynkies,” explains Lorette. “It means a collection of overly decorative elements or embellishments – which felt perfect for what we were building.” Later, they added a clever twist, introducing KIES to play on the idea of “choosing” what you love. “It worked well for signage and logos,” says Ronel, “but the full name stuck. It’s part of who we are.”
And who they are is something truly special – a team of women who turned a dream into a movement, and a market into a much-loved experience.
Next up, meet the incredible women behind the brand – Lorette, Ronel, and Evette – and discover the heart, hustle, and humour they bring to every ‘Kies. Click here.
Catch Lorette, Ronel and Evette for seven unforgettable days of lekker kuier, lekker kos, and lekker koop from September 24 to September 30 at Moreleta Kampus, corner of De Villebois and Garsfontein Roads. Tickets cost R50 per person, kids under 16 free. One ticket gives you access to all seven days. Tickets available at the gate. Details: https://www.tierlantynkies.co.za/ or follow @tierlantynkies on Facebook and Insta.
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Six lucky readers stand a chance to win double tickets – follow @getitpretoria on Facebook and Instagram and follow the prompts to enter.
