After postponing the opening date due to the implications of COVID-19, the Southcoast Open Air Market is officially reopening on July 11 on the grounds of the Swansea YMCA.

Continuing on a weekly basis every Saturday, SOAM is a market that gives vendors opportunities to display and sell their products.

Somerset resident Allison Faunce, who runs SOAM, saw “the need for a gathering point in this local area.”

Faunce, who is an artisan herself, said that being around other small businesses and vendors bolsters each others’ spirits and ingenuity, as well as gives the vendors involved networking opportunities. SOAM gives the community a gathering point which allows the community to come together in a positive way as well as shop and support local businesses, she explained.

SOAM will take place at the Swansea YMCA, 271 Sharps Lot Road, every Saturday, from July 11 to Oct. 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Due to the pandemic, SOAM had to postpone their opening date. Faunce said SOAM is following the guidelines from the state. “In essence of SOAM being a positive space to gather, we also want to make sure it is a safe place to gather,” she said.

All vendors will be required to wear masks and customers are recommended to wear masks when social distancing is not possible. Vendors will not handle any reusable bags, in order to reduce the spread of the virus. The outdoor Swansea YMCA location will also have outdoor bathrooms and hand washing stations in order to give customers and vendors more opportunities to be safe.

Unlike other local markets, SOAM is still allowing pets on leashes, like it has since it was first established. That, along with live music at every event, has not changed according to Faunce.

Faunce is very confident in her event and believes it is safer than other retail shopping options. “We are providing a safer alternative to the other retail shopping experiences we have right now, or the grocery store,” she said.

Because the event is held outdoors, it allows for more social distancing, Faunce explained..

Faunce said they could have opened as a farmers only market on the original opening date of June 6. However, Faunce believes SOAM is more than just a farmers market, and wanted all types of vendors, like artisans, who weren’t considered essential in Phase 1, to be included. She also noted that postponing the opening date allowed for them to have live music.

Faunce said she wants the upcoming SOAM events to be just like an ordinary event, while also following the states safety guidelines.

“We want it to be as normal as possible, and as positive and fun as what you would expect from any other SOAM season,” she said.