The Market in Petersburg has moved online. The summertime event formerly connected local growers, vendors, artists and buyers bi-monthly at the John Hansen Sr Community Hall on 1st Street. Due to coronavirus concerns, it is opening up again online, with free delivery available.
The Market in Petersburg offers locally-made products such as baked goods, natural body products, and jewelry. This year’s virtual market is intended to prevent any risk of spreading the coronavirus in-person, according to Shannon McCullough, the market manager.
“We really wouldn’t want to put any customers, or vendors, or any community members at risk,” says McCullough. “We thought the most responsible thing to do would be to move to an online platform and find other ways to support the community.”
This summer, the Market is available online at saltandsoilmarketplace.com. The online platform is provided by the Southeast Alaska Watershed Coalition, and vendors showcased there are based in Petersburg, Sitka, Haines and Juneau.
Local shoppers should make sure to select Petersburg as their market location, for either pickup or delivery in town. Mailing options are not available at this time.
Shopping will be open the last week of each month from now until October, McCullough explains each shopping window is a week long process. “It opens Saturday at noon for ordering, and closes the following Thursday at noon. And then the vendors get the list for what’s been sold and they put it all together and bring it to the distribution site on Friday evening. Then on Saturday 10am to 1pm, the Market Board, and volunteers, we divy it all up and distribute it.” There’s pickup options or delivery. “We’re offering free delivery, because we just really want people to shop local and continue to support these beautiful local businesses and creators,” McCullough says.
The Market’s goal is to support the local economy, and provide vendors a place to connect with buyers in the community. Moving online is not easy for microbusinesses, but McCullough says the platform has been supportive and has provided the virtual space free of charge, which has been helpful for vendors to make the transition online. But, they’re still looking for more vendors to participate this summer.
“It’s new, so like anything new there’s a learning curve,” she says. “So I think each Market of the summer people learn more about it, and learn how easy it is, and what great products are available. And I think it will pick up.”
McCullough says the Market community has always had to be adaptive – to the tides, weather conditions, schedules, and all kinds of challenges – and so are adjusting to pandemic conditions.
“Everyone’s working really hard, and being really positive. It’s surprising to see, even in a pandemic people are very adaptable,” she says. “It’s very positive to see.”
The first round closes today, (Thursday June 25) at 12 noon. Then pickup will be this Saturday June 27 from 10am – 1pm at 208 Haugen Drive, with free delivery available.
The next open window for shopping at the Market online is Saturday July 18th til Thursday July 23rd. Updates will be on the Market in Petersburg Facebook page, or for more information or to make an order by phone, call Shannon McCullough at 518-0757 or email psg.market@gmail.com.
