Tenino Farmers Market to open Saturday with a new setup to maintain social distancing

The Tenino Farmers Market is set to open for the season on Saturday with modifications in place to account for the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic.

Vendors will be set up downtown from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and configured in a one-way loop that allows patrons to enter and exit the market without going against the flow of foot traffic. Only those selling items considered essential under the statewide Stay Home, Stay Healthy order will be open for business.

Customers will not be allowed to touch merchandise and must abide by markings on the ground meant to keep them at least 6 feet apart. Children under 6 years old and dogs are not allowed inside the market. Vendors will be required to make hand sanitizer available at their booths, wear masks and gloves, and bag purchases.

“We’ll have about 13 vendors, since the non-essential ones can’t come in until the state rules allow for it,” said Bridget Fosse, manager of the market. “We’ll still be taking cash, along with debit cards and EBT.”

Volunteers will patrol the market to ensure people maintain proper social distancing and follow the layout as intended. Fosse said the plan is to let about 20 people into the shopping loop at one time, with the goal of keeping people from browsing or lingering for very long.

Vendors scheduled to attend on Saturday include Baines Kettle Corn, Oily Owl Soaps, Wild Heart Sipping Vinegar and Skookumchuck Botanicals.

“Everyone comes in the one entrance, goes down one side of the street, up the other and out,” Fosse said. “It’s very different and hard on the mind to be working on ways to make sure people don’t stick around.”

There will be no live entertainment or special events held in conjunction with the market until further notice. For more information, visit teninofarmersmarket.org or call 360-264-2317.