The farmers market in downtown Elgin might reopen June 5, pending city approval, Downtown Neighborhood Association officials said Monday.
The latest stay-at-home order — which deemed farmers markets essential — provides farmers markets a path toward reopening amid social distancing guidelines. If it moves forward, the farmers market would be one of the few public gatherings in Elgin this summer.
“This is an opportunity that we have downtown that we hopefully can do,” said Downtown Neighborhood Association Executive Director Jennifer Fukala. “It will certainly play a role in bringing customers downtown if we’re able to move forward with this.”
The farmers market was among several topics discussed in a Monday afternoon virtual meeting involving downtown business owners, stakeholders, and others; Fukala led the virtual session via Zoom.
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The market would be “scaled back,” Fukala cautioned, and would set up on DuPage Court for at least the start of the season. It could be expanded along Spring Street as well, but it would depend on the stay-at-home order, she said.
Fukala said 15 vendors had been accepted so far.
“A lot of (vendors) are the same vendors we see every year,” farmers market manager Christina Gonzales said. “We’re kind of going back and forth with produce (vendors)…we’ve had a few crafts vendors who understand this may not be the best time for them.”
“We’re expecting a smaller market — everyone is, not just us,” Gonzales said.
Fukala said they may have pre-order and pickup services to reduce coronavirus exposure. Shopping would most likely resemble the “deli-counter” approach seen in grocery stores of late: customers standing behind lines when ordering food, customers spread out and pointing to what they want.
Gonzales said she took a trip to the Palatine farmers market over the weekend to observe their first day of operations.
“Everyone understands when you come to the market you have masks,” said Gonzales. “That’s going to become the new normal, whether its a vendor or whether it’s a customer.”
Fukala also presented results from a recent survey sent to downtown businesses in early April on the pandemic. About 12% of downtown businesses responded, she said.
Among the findings:
About 90% of respondents reported losing revenue. The average loss of revenue was around $25,000; one business reported losing more than $100,000.
About 52% of respondents had to close for the time being due to the statewide order.
About 59% of respondents had to cut hours, 28% cut pay, and 14% had to lay off staff.
More than 40% had applied for federal disaster relief loans.
“Anything that could happen, did happen,” Fukala said.
Fukala said they will survey downtown again and want to work with local organizations to conduct a larger citywide survey.