A Mother’s Day wine-cocktail Night Market was held Friday night at Fagalii bringing together businesswomen from across Samoa.

The event was held at the Tee 20 Bar and Restaurant and was packed to capacity with the public also visiting the venue to purchase Mother’s Day gifts.

It was held from 5–11pm with the business’ owners offering special prices on all the items on sale that night.

The Mother’s Day Wine-Cocktail Night Market Coordinator, Matatamalii Leata McCarthy, told the Samoa Observer in an interview that the turnout at the market on Friday night exceeded her expectations.

“Because I know together we are always stronger,” she said.

In an earlier interview before the event last Friday evening, Matatamalii said the night was initially scheduled to be held last year, but continued to be delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Their businesses continued to be impacted by the pandemic due to their main clientele being tourists, however with the Mother’s Day weekend, they wanted to create a platform or a mini shopping atmosphere for everyone.

According to Matatamalii, there were 19 vendors at the Mother’s Day Night Market last Friday with everyone inviting their own customers, family and friends.

Businesses such as Kuki, Mailelani and Le-Ata Samoa and many other businesses were part of the setup.

And following the success of the Mother’s Day Night Market last Friday, she is keen to host similar markets in the future for the Father’s Day and White Sunday celebrations. 

“Amazing things happen when women support women,” Matatamalii said.

She said the unity that the various businesswomen displayed last Friday to ultimately support each in a challenging economic environment added to the success of the night.

Matatamalii is happy that they are able to sell their products and make money for their families.

“Happy Mother’s Day to all the working moms, every mom is a working mom and it’s important to try and be kind and be nice to one another,” she added.