Customers will be able to buy fresh produce and handmade crafts this Sunday as the Chattanooga Market opens for the season, but they will not be able to hang around, drink a beer and listen to live music as in the past, as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
The city’s largest open air public market at First Horizon Pavilion on Reggie White Boulevard, the Chattanooga Market will open with fewer vendors than normal and the emphasis will be on social distancing, safety and being intentional about getting in and getting out, organizers say.
Operator Chris Thomas said all of the Chattanooga Public Markets, which include the Collegedale and Chattanooga markets, will be less about the fun or entertainment aspects of the weekly events and more focused on essentials.
“We hope that doesn’t last forever, as we hope to reintroduce some of the fun and get it back to where we want it soon, but for now, we are very focused on following the (federal) and state guidelines and making sure everyone is safe.”
The Collegedale Market opened May 13. Thomas said it has been a big success, with revenues about double what was projected, “and everyone has been lovely about understanding and following the guidelines.”