New Around the Woo

WORCESTER PUBLIC MARKET REOPENS RACHEL SHUSTER

COVID-19 has impacted every aspect of our lives. As we move forward and see our world slowly start to reopen,we start to see businesses we love find their way through this uncertain time.

For Worcester Public Market, located at 160 Green St. in Worcester, they are optimistic about the future and are grateful for the loyalty of the community, as they have now been reopened since June 18.

“It was scary when we shut down,” said Domenic Mercurio, Jr., executive director of Worcester Public Market. “We shut down on March 15. The first thing we thought when the pandemic hit was ‘what do we do for all of the businesses in the market?’ That was our biggest concern – making sure they were taken care of.”

Mercurio and the team decided to truly put their people first and forgave each business’ rent while closed.

“That made a huge difference for people and it allowed them to focus on reopening rather than how they were going to pay their rent,” Mercurio said. “If they had to pay rent while closed, they probably wouldn’t have made it. It gave them a sense that this was a team and that we are all looking out for each other.”

With the worry of paying rent nonexistent, over those three months when the market was closed, Mercurio, the team and the businesses put things in place to continue to serve the community and eventually prepare for reopening.

“We contacted entities that specialized in food-to-go, had curbside pickup to connect with the vendors and restaurants, used pay-by-phone for minimal contact and a lot of vendors used social media to promote these new measures and ways of doing business,” Mercurio said. “We found creative ways to generate business while we were closed. In doing so, it bolstered and drove business in for the reopening.”

With the reopening of the Market, Mercurio and his team have put strict and many safety measures and precautions in place to ensure the health and safety of customers. That is the number one priority.

“The market is cleaned corner-to-corner every morning,” Mercurio said. “Everything people could touch is cleaned, staff/floor managers wear gloves and masks and we have cleaners cleaning the market throughout the day, disinfecting tables and chairs often. Masks are required. We have masks and gloves for customers if they don’t have them.”

Mercurio also mentioned the increased level of signage around the market, including on every entrance reinforcing customers to wear masks, follow directional floor arrows, stay six feet apart and social distance.

“We also have reduced capacity by half and limit to 4 people per table,” he added. Beyond the increased safety measures and the great vendors, with the reopening, people can enjoy live entertainment outside on Saturdays and indoor and outdoor seating.

“We have permission from the city to have some seating along the building outside,” Mercurio said.

While this has been a challenging time for everyone, the strength of the community and positivity within the market between staff, vendors and customers exudes a sense of optimism for the future.

“Our vendors and staff are upbeat even though it’s challenging than before,” Mercurio said. “Our goal has always been to provide a fun, positive experience for the community and that has never wavered. We want people to come in and feel comfortable, happy and not like their health is at risk. We want them to keep enjoying themselves because that’s what they came in for in the first place.”

Worcester Public Market is currently open Wednesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. with hopes to expand to Tuesdays in the near future. Visit worcesterpublicmarket.org for more information.