Open-air farmers’ markets are limited to 100 people at a time under Alert Level 2 rules.
Market manager Michele Driscoll said the market was not a social event any more, but it was as good as it could get in the current circumstances.
The regulations were hard on vendors and many would have to take stock home at the end of the day, she said.
Many of the loyal weekly customers were thankful the market was back, even if it was not in full swing yet.
There were few stalls with ready-to-eat food and customers were encouraged to come in and out quickly, she said.
Customer Amy Hou said although the queue looked intimidating the wait was not long at all.
Customers were asked to stay no longer than 15 minutes, so the line moved quickly, she said.
Not all of the vendors were available but she was still able to load up on produce for the week.
Richard Dingwall said it was nice to finally be able to get the ingredients he had been missing throughout the lockdown.
He did not mind having to wait, as it was for "the safety of us all".
Matheson and Roberts co-owner Adam Paterson said he was not happy with the limit of 100 people.
The restriction did not make much sense, as there was plenty of space at the market to fit in more people safely, he said.
Although the restrictions were annoying it was good to be back, he said.
Who Ate All The Pies vendor Will Turner said business was going slowly, although that was expected.
They had packed a lot less stock to help reduce the amount of wastage.
The people who came to the market for hot food specifically would still come, but there was a lot less impulse buying, he said.
Willowbrook Orchard owner John Gilchrist said it was good to be back, even if the crowd was not as big as usual.
The 100 people limit and the lack of social elements, such as music and seating, had put a bit of a damper on things, but it was a good start, he said.
"I’m sure people are smiling, even if we can’t see it under their masks."
