On Sunday, September 6th from 10a – 3p the Fremont Sunday Market makes its triumphant and long-awaited return. This is not only is the Grand Re-Opening of Seattle’s original neighborhood street market but also the start of its 30th Season!
In September of 1990, the Fremont Sunday Market opened on a series of parking lots – and quickly became an institution, and a vital piece in the growth of the Fremont business district. The Fremont Market has launched an incalculable number of businesses – incubating start-ups into brick-and-mortar stores and innovating new products. Also, several iconic businesses have finished their in Market booths, offering customers their last opportunities at a favorite enterprise.
On September 6th, the Fremont Market returns – following strict COVID-19 precautions, as directed by the City of Seattle and the Public Health authority. This means a lot of changes have been made to the structure of the Market, and the methods consumers will have to follow for shopping.
A few changes visitors will notice are:
- Fewer vendors (40 to start,) spread farther apart
- Temperatures will be taken at the entrance gate
- Entrance & Exit Gates will be monitoring the (safe) number of people allowed in (and out) of the Market
- ALL visitors will be required (along with vendors and staff) to wear face coverings/masks at all times
- Vendors cannot let shoppers into their booths, or try on clothes
- No hot food will be for sale inside the Market
- Service animals only – please no pets
All of these changes are done to keep people safer and to prevent the spread of coronavirus, with representatives from the Seattle Mayor’s Office and King-County/Seattle Public Health on-hand to make sure the rules are followed and everyone complies. While the Market staff did not make these rules, they do need to follow and enforce them, for everyone’s safety and, hopefully, enjoyment!
Since April 26th, Fremont Market staff have been assisting at the Ballard Farmer’s Market, and learning ways to implement these guidelines while making the shopping experience as fun and fulfilling as possible. The Ballard Market has, due to strict adherence, been able to stay open through the summer – without a single reported case of COVID-19 transmission.
Public safety is the top priority, for the Fremont Market and the production company, Northwest Marketplaces. Launching the 30th Year of the Fremont Market is a laudable achievement, and it is hoped that everyone will be able to smile, laugh and cheer their continued existence – but only if everyone either complies with the rules! Including, if you are sick or potentially contagious, stay home!
Please give your support to the Return of the Fremont Sunday Market, either in-person or by spreading the word that it is time to put this institutions back on your calendar of places to visit when exploring the Center of the Universe!
Find out more on the Fremont Sunday Market website (click here,) or the Facebook page (click here.)