FOLEY, Ala. — Visitors to the Coastal Alabama Farmers and Fishermen’s Market may notice a bit of a breeze, beginning this weekend.

That’s because three overhead fans are being installed in the covered, open-air structure this week.

Market Manager Heather Pritchard explained that the fans are just part of continued updates to the facility that opened last October. Also in the works are the installation of blinds that will shade vendors and patrons from the sun.

“And we’re installing misters all the way around the building,” Pritchard said.

Although the market’s summer hours include Fridays, it will be closed today in honor of the Independence Day holiday. Normal operation will resume Saturday with hours of 9 a.m.- 2 p.m.

The market, which is located next to Wolf Bay Lodge on County Road 20 in Foley, will then resume Friday operations on July 11, between the hours of 2 and 6 p.m.

But plans are in motion to put the market to another use.

“We’ll be renting the facility for functions,” Pritchard said.

That should be in sometime in August.

“We’re ordering 240 chairs,” Pritchard said, adding that the city already has the needed tables for functions.

But that’s not the only expansion project for the market.

“We’re doing a satellite booth,” Pritchard said.

That booth is currently at the Art of Alabama Food Event at the Wharf in Orange Beach. So through Aug. 9, beachside residents and visitors can get an extra taste of the Coastal Alabama Farmers and Fishermen’s Market.

“It’ll be products from everybody in one little satellite booth,” Pritchard said, explaining that the hours will be evenings each Wednesday through Saturday. .

That includes samplings from at least 30 food growers and producers in Baldwin County.

As for its home location, Pritchard touts the success of the Market.

“We have at least 1,200 visitors on Saturdays,” she said.

Pritchard said that last Saturday, a vendor sold all of their 50 cantaloupes in the first half hour.

“Local food is blowing up around here,” she said.

For more information, visit CoastalAlabamaMarket.com.