Dove Building Location Open for Business May 30
By Matt Prokopchuk
Officials with the Thunder Bay Country Market have announced they plan to partially reopen their site at the Canadian Lakehead Exhibition grounds to the public, starting at the end of the month.
The Dove building will be open on Saturdays, starting May 30 to shoppers who want to purchase from vendors on site, the market stated in a media release issued Tuesday morning. The market has been physically closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but some of the vendors have been selling their goods online through the country market’s website.
Saturday hours will be from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm. The Wednesday market will continue to be for online order pickups only.
“We know the market has really evolved into a community gathering place over the years and a spot to catch up with friends— we can’t wait to get back to a time that it will be safe to do so,” Kelly Fettes, the president of the market’s board, was quoted as saying in the media release. “But in the meantime, similar to a grocery or retail store, Thunder Bay Country Market is following provincial regulations to ensure the health and safety of our vendors, shoppers and the community.”
According to Fettes’ statement, that will include on-site vendors only offering produce, baked goods and groceries for the time being. She says these measures are part of the “first phase” of the market reopening fully.
Other changes will include vendor booths being further apart, with only two shoppers allowed at a booth at a time; additionally, officials say there will be fewer vendors on site–about 20 inside and outside–and a limited number of shoppers will be allowed into the building at one time.
“Market marshals” in brightly-coloured vests will also be present to help answer questions, guide foot traffic, and remind people about social distancing measures. Additionally, shoppers are being asked to stay home if they are sick.
