Mirpur Stadium Market: Furniture galore at the home of cricket

On match days, all eyes remain glued to the field as the audience gallery roars with cheers and jeers. The premises of Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium sprawl with tight security watching over the cricket-frenzy folks.

On the rest of the days, the plot twists -- just a few steps away from the cricket pitch unfolds a different game -- where the musky aroma of wood fills up the hallways, and a heap of furniture outlets line up. Batsmen and bowling teams are swapped with shoppers and sellers -- all playing to win the best deal!

Located on the ground floor of Mirpur Stadium, the unassuming marketplace stretches around the oval-shaped arena -- hosting more than 70 shops.

Inside, bold floral furniture and dramatic lights catch the attention of discerning customers. Meanwhile outside, slow-moving vans hum as vendors receive new stock and deliver bulk orders to clients. Skilled carpenters are spotted varnishing wooden items as the narrow corridor oozes with the earthy scent of fresh turpentine.

Photos: Shadab Shahrokh Hai

"The market has been around since the early 2000s," says Khalilul Rahman, a veteran seller at Premium Furniture. "Our men can build from any design, and if you take good care, they can last for 10 to 15 years."

From necessary to luxury -- carefully crafted items like dressers, sofa sets, plush beds, and TV and display cabinets are available. "Whenever we need furniture items, we drop by the stadium market first," remarks a couple while scrutinising items. "Some of the products are great, if you look at the prices," one of them adds.

Children's furniture is popular here, and so are kitchen items -- dish racks, pantry cabinets, vegetable shelves, and containers. Nazia, a Dhaka-based homemaker, relies on this market to buy kitchen storage essentials as her past purchases have served her well.

The factories behind these outlets are spread across Badda, Rayerbazar, Jatrabari, and Sutrapur.

Seasoned woodworkers blend the trends of luxury brands with affordability to reach a wider range of customers. Most of the furniture are made of Chittagong Segun (teak). Malaysian processed wood and Canadian oak are lighter, and more cost-effective alternatives.

Photos: Shadab Shahrokh Hai

The prices are wallet-friendly, but can vary drastically from stall to stall. For example, Chittagong teak bed prices can span from Tk 30,000 to Tk 75,000 depending on design and size. For beds with processed wood, prices drop anywhere between Tk 17,000 to Tk 25,000. So, before taking the hit as a first-time buyer, inspect the balance between quality and price.

The office furniture of this market is well-known beyond the local people. "We have customers from outside Dhaka; some are high-end corporate clients and wholesale buyers," says the salesman of Ohi Furniture. Just like his outlet, most office tables, ranging from four to seven feet in length are priced between Tk 3,500 to Tk 7,500. Rafi, a computer engineering student, says, "I custom-design my computer tables here -- they require some care, but they're worth the price."

A key factor to shop here is to check the longevity to avoid being "bowled out". "Our furniture is built to last," claims a salesman. "But make sure to quickly wipe off any water spillage," he warns.

Even though numerous financial dips have taken down the wickets, this decade-old market has managed to bounce back. So, the next time you are on a furniture hunt, swing by this local arcade by the Mirpur Road. It stays open every day from around 10:00am to 9:00pm, excluding the crazy game days!