Troy Farmers Market opens for winter in new Lansingburgh location (Times Union)

The following article by Kenneth C. Crowe III appeared in The Times Union on Dec 4, 2020.
Photos by Jim Franco, special to the Times Union published on Dec 5, 2020.

TROY – The Troy Waterfront Farmers Market opens its indoor winter market Saturday at a new location in the former Price Chopper building on Second Avenue.

The market has moved to Lansingburgh from its previous winter home for the last 18 years in the downtown Troy Atrium.

"With safety in mind this winter, and with uncertainty over the availability of the Atrium due to redevelopment plans, the Troy Waterfront Farmers Market felt it prudent to secure a different location with more space, better access and an easier customer flow," Steve Ridler, the market’s manager, said in a statement about the move.

The Price Chopper supermarket site is located at 865 Second Ave. at the city’s northern end.  More than 60 vendors are expected to be inside for the start of the winter season.  The grocery store closed in February.

"After reviewing many options around the city and region, we have decided to move to the vacant Price Chopper grocery store in Lansingburgh for the season. This allows us to keep the winter market in Troy and locate to an area in need of fresh food alternatives. We're looking forward to being in Lansingburgh for the winter and then returning downtown in the spring," Ridler continued.

Downtown businesses are adjusting to the market's move  to Lansingburgh for the winter due to COVID-19 concerns.

“We are sad to see the farmers market move out of downtown for the winter months and look forward to the time when they are able to return. With the need for additional indoor space due to COVID we understand their decision to change locations," said Katie Hammon, executive director of the Downtown Troy Business Improvement District.

"We do however encourage those visiting the farmers market to make their way downtown to shop, dine, and explore before or after their market shopping and find ways to support our local small businesses throughout the winter in-person, online, or through quick pickup and delivery options,”  Hammon said.

The Troy Waterfront Farmers Market had to adjust to operating during the coronavirus pandemic. The market closed in March due to state precautions. It reopened in May with limited operations in a Russell Sage College parking lot. It then relocated in June to the city’s Front Street Parking lot in Riverfront Park and expanded.

The market will be open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays in its new Lansingburgh location.  New York State’s COVID-19 guidelines limit the number of people in the store to 200 at any one time.  It’s expected that about 120 customers will be allowed inside at a time after accounting for market staff.

Shopping from 9-9:30 a.m. will be prioritized for those 60-years-old and older and for those who are immunocompromised.

The Farmers Holiday Market will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays Dec. 13 and Dec. 20 at the Lansingburgh location.