A popular, new attraction was the gallery for artists who could not afford the time to be there during the seven months when the shed was open seven days a week.
"Good artists are selling incredibly well," Mrs Sass said.
The biggest buyers were independent travellers, with a lot of business coming from the nearby Trinity Wharf hotel.
A noticeable trend this year was that cruise ship passengers were being much tighter with their money. Cut-throat competition among cruise ship companies meant they were attracting passengers who could not normally afford to go cruising. Consequently, they did not have much surplus cash.
A major drawcard coming up was the resumption of a major exhibition of works by notable local artists, in late August and early September.
And a special area of the Cargo Shed was being renovated for revolving displays by members of the Tauranga Society of Artists. The exhibitions would be changed every three weeks.
Generous sponsorship meant that the stallholders had achieved about $30,000 worth of improvements to the cargo shed for a cash outlay of $5000.
Other changes in the first six months included a little museum of Cargo Shed artefacts and a book nook for local authors.
They were looking forward to the winter period when the shed was only open weekends.
"It will give us a chance to take stock and reorganise. There are so many ideas," Mrs Sass said.
