Afghans stake place

DANDENONG now has its own slice of Afghanistan with the introduction of branding for the city’s Afghan precinct.
Known as the Afghan Bazaar, this collection of stores in Thomas Street will now enjoy similar recognition as the Little India precinct.
The branding appears on street furniture, shop windows, precinct markers and strategically placed signs in the area.
Mayor Pinar Yesil said the branding initiative, based on the same model used for Little India, was designed to make the precinct more visible to the public.
“The Afghan Bazaar is one of Dandenong’s thriving cultural precincts and we’re hoping to encourage more people to take a look around for themselves,” Cr Yesil said.
“The traders in the Afghan Bazaar were keen to have their growing precinct recognised and put on the map in the same way as Little India has been.
“They were quick to jump on board so it’s something they’re obviously proud to be a part of.”
The Afghan Bazaar contains a diverse range of stores, from shops selling kebabs to groceries, carpets, fashion, meat and cakes and there is even a hairdresser.
Sixteen traders fall under the precinct’s umbrella.
Cr Yesil encouraged people to sample a slice of Afghan culture for themselves by joining one of council’s guided tours of the bazaar.
“These popular tours have been running since 2007 and due to demand will be increased from one a month to one every two weeks from 1 July,” Cr Yesil said.