Troy farmers market moving to Lansingburgh indoor site because of pandemic (Albany Business Review)

This story first appeared in the Albany Business Review on Dec. 3, 2020.
By Michael DeMasi – Reporter, Albany Business Review

The Troy Waterfront Farmers Market is moving its winter location from the Troy Atrium to a vacant supermarket four miles north in Lansingburgh — the first time in 18 years the popular winter market won't be held in the heart of downtown.

The move is due to uncertainty over the availability of the Atrium because of possible redevelopment plans and to provide more room for social distancing during the pandemic.

Starting Saturday, Dec. 5, the weekly market will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the former Price Chopper at 865 2nd Ave. just south of the Troy-Waterford Bridge.

The empty store can accommodate 200 people under the state's Covid-19 guidelines. When factoring in vendors and staff, that means about 120 customers can be inside at the same time, according to the market.

When the market reaches capacity, customers will be asked to wait outside. The market is exploring a text notification wait list so people can stay in their cars during the cold weather.

An online ordering and pickup option at Carioto Produce in Green Island that was started during the pandemic will continue over the winter.

The market intends to return downtown in the spring, according to Steve Ridler, market manager.

The thousands of people who turn out for the market year-round have been a critical part of downtown's economic improvement over the past decade.

Katie Hammon, executive director of the Downtown Troy Business Improvement District, hopes people who visit the Lansingburgh site this winter also make their way downtown.

"Especially with Covid a lot of people are talking about the need to shop local," Hammon said. "We're really just trying to get as many people to continue to be downtown to shop and to shop online.”

More retailers have pivoted to offer online sales and pickup or delivery, a critical step in managing businesses through the pandemic, Hammon said.

The annual Victorian Stroll, which usually brings thousands of people downtown for a Sunday in December, will be a two-week event this year starting Dec. 6 in which people are encouraged to visit shops.