By Ally Lanasa, Staff Writer

(March 25, 2021) A portion of Main Street will be closed for the fourth season of the Berlin Farmers Market every Sunday from May to September, town representatives announced this week after receiving approval from the Maryland State Highway Administration.

ALLY LANASA/BAYSIDE GAZETTE
Farmers and other vendors will still be located on Pitts and Commerce streets for the Berlin Farmers Market on Sundays from May to September, but parts of Main Street will be closed for safety.

“During the farmers market last year, there were safety concerns associated with people having to cross Main Street to visit both sides of the market,” Mayor Zackery Tyndall said. “I want to thank the state of Maryland for approving the town’s request to shut down Main Street to help people remain safe during their trip to the market. I look forward to the market returning on May 2.”

Ivy Wells, the town’s economic and community development director, said Main Street will be closed at World of Toys, 115 N. Main St., so the parking lot remains open. Main Street will be closed at Rayne’s Reef Soda Fountain & Grill, 10 N. Main St., while Broad Street will remain open for traffic. Pitts Street will be closed at William Street, and Commerce Street will be closed as well.

Local farmers and producers will still be located on Pitts and Commerce streets. Twenty-eight vendors are registered for the 2021 season.

The Berlin Farmers Market began on Artisans Green near HOUSE Furnishings & Decor, 111 Artisan’s Way before moving to the parking lot behind J & M Meat Market and Grille, 101 William St. The market then expanded to Pitts and Commerce streets.

Now, market visitors will also be able to enjoy food and drinks from vendors and other downtown Berlin businesses at cafè tables set up on Main Street.

“Our 13 café tables and 26 chairs [will be] set up on … Main Street,”

All current covid-19 protocols from the CDC will remain in effective in accordance with the Maryland Health Department.