Chilly Start to Summer Market Season

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The Anchorage Market and Festival opened for the summer this weekend, one week earlier than it did last year. Vendors say cooler temperatures are keeping some people away from the outdoor market opening weekend, but they're still planning on a busy season.

Some vendors, like Papa B's Fruits, are adding another summer season to decades of business at the market.

"It's all indicative of an early season-- the type of fruit, the temperature, the number of people--- slim numbers of people. Some vendors are probably going to wait another week to come in but it'll fill in, it'll be thick," said Liz Thomas, owner of Papa B's Fruits.

However, newcomers, like Los Tacos, say they're using a slow start to learn the ropes.

"They said this first week, don't get deterred by how many people are here. Once the buses come and once the weather warms up, they say you'll be busy and hopefully it'll work out for us," said Carlos Cardoso, co-owner of Los Tacos.

The market will be open every weekend through September 9th. It is located on 3rd Avenue between C and E Streets.