As Christmas approaches, shoppers on the Palouse can pick up gifts at the 1912 Winter Market while following COVID-19 restrictions.

Under a normal year, the Winter Market would host 23 vendors in the main area of the 1912 Center in Moscow, Executive Director Jenny Kostroff said. Because of COVID-19 regulations, face masks are required, and only 12 vendors are allowed.

The vendors will be spaced out over two floors to provide more space, as well as comfort for customers, she said. The remaining market days will occur Dec. 5, Dec. 12, Feb. 6 and March 6.

The building is ventilated well because the building was originally designed to burn coal to produce heat, Kostroff said.

“I would have been more nervous early on the pandemic, but we have learned how to navigate things more effectively,” she said. “We figured out how to shop at a grocery store, so why not at the Winter Market with the right layout and design?”

Kostroff said she is approaching the situation logically. If done correctly, the residents of Pullman and Moscow can support each other and small vendors during this time.

The market will offer personal shoppers for patrons who may feel uncomfortable shopping in-person, Kostroff said.

The goal is to have fewer in-person shoppers. One patron has already used this service, she said. People can sign up for a personal shopper by contacting Kostroff via phone call or text.

“I set them up with a personal shopper at 9 a.m.” She said. “By talking to me, they can describe the product they want.”

If someone does not know exactly what they want or if they would like a specific product, the market staff can use video chat to show products at vendor booths, she said.

Kostroff said some orders are relatively easy, as someone may only order 10 pounds of Honeycrisp apples.

Every market date features different vendors, including Koda Henrickson, owner of Trailblazer Arts, Kostroff said.

“They make glass blown awesomeness, which is great for Christmas trees or color in a dorm room window,” she said.

Trailblazer Arts will be at the market Dec. 12.

There will also be several new vendors, including the recently established Sweet Megpie, an in-home bakery owned by Megan Fuhlman.

Fuhlman said the pandemic encouraged her to start her own business.

“I have been baking my whole life,” she said. “After I joined roller derby, I began baking for our events.”

Fuhlman received an overwhelming amount of positive feedback so she decided to open her own bakery, she said.

The pandemic has actually been good for her business, Fuhlman said. Just by word of mouth, several people have reached out to her about the bakery.

She is excited to share her baked goods with community members, she said.

Fuhlman’s booth will include multiple varieties of cookies, macarons, cupcakes, muffins and a pre-order option for a sugar cookie kit, she said.

If there was one thing people should buy, it would be her cookies, she said. Fuhlman recommends buying the sugar cookie kit as a Christmas gift.

“There will be four different sets that folks can choose from,” she said. “One is a holiday ugly Christmas sweater.”

Sweet Megpie will be at the market Dec. 12 and Feb. 6.