SARASOTA (WSNN) – Sarasota welcomes back a little bit of normal with a Saturday morning tradition stretching back more than two decades.
The Sarasota Farmers Market back after being closed for five months.
“Thrilled to death that it’s open, it’s good to see people to out and relaxing and having fun,” Sarasota resident, Audrey Maren said.
A little less foot traffic than usual but, people say they’re happy to be here.
“On a normal Saturday, in the off-season, so about this time, we see about four-to-five-thousand, today we probably see about half of that. I think half of the people are waiting to see how it goes and waiting to see after today,” Sarasota Farmers Market’s Interim Market Manager, Morgan Bettes said.
The first day back welcomed 40 vendors instead of their typical 70. Bettes says the market has a huge economic ripple in downtown Sarasota.
“The farmers market was a huge percentage of my overall business even though I wholesale and we have the storefront,” The Empanada Girl owner, Stefania Fochi said.
Fochi says she along with other vendors are ready to serve the Suncoast again.
“We’re all kind of happy to be back and giving this service to the community, and connecting with everybody again, even if it’s through a mask,” Fochi said.
The farmers market is also utilizing more space on Main Street to meet CDC guidelines.
Bettes says the biggest thing their policing is masks.
“Even if you don’t want to wear a mask for yourself, wear a mask so we can stay open,” Bettes said. “If we don’t wear a mask, it’s not safe and we’ll have to close again.”
Sarasota friends Audrey Maren and Kenney DeCamp say they feel comfortable returning.
“It’s spaced well, most people are wearing masks, some people should put it up over their nose and keep it there (pointing at Maren),” DeCamp said. “But, it looks like a good thing for most people.”
Others just couldn’t wait to get out and see familiar faces again.
“Being cooped at home with the most recent pandemic, it’s nice to get back to a little bit of normal here at the farmers market, Bradenton resident, Brian Kolesa said.
And while people enjoy a little slice of normal again, market ambassador, Francis Schuer, cycles the energy of it, feeding people with smiles and good conversation.
“I’m looking forward to it growing on from here as the season progress and people get more comfortable coming back,” Schuer said.
Plans call for the Sarasota Farmers Market to remain open every Saturday morning.