For vendors at the central market in Tbilisi, the return to a normal routine this week was marked less by announcements than by familiar sounds.
The clatter of crates, shouted greetings, and the steady hum of early-morning trade signalled a quiet return to rhythm after several days of disruption.
“I wasn’t sure how many people would show up today,” said Nino Beridze, who sells fruit from a small stall near the east entrance. “But once the first customers came, it felt normal again.”
Last week’s transport delays and supply interruptions had left some shelves sparse and vendors uncertain. While no major shortages were reported, many traders adjusted hours or reduced stock as deliveries arrived late. Customers, in turn, adapted buying less, substituting ingredients, or returning later in the day.
By Monday morning, most stalls were fully stocked again.
Shoppers lingered longer than usual, exchanging updates and complaints in equal measure. “Everyone knows something happened,” said Giorgi Makharadze, a regular customer. “But life doesn’t stop. You still need bread.”
City officials confirmed that transport schedules had largely stabilised, though minor delays may continue throughout the week.
For many at the market, the explanation mattered less than the outcome.
“When things go quiet, people worry,” Beridze said as she weighed a bag of apples. “When the market opens, it feels like the city is breathing again.”