bzarcher
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Visiting North Market today, Pam's Market Popcorn had a sign up that due to a lease issue, she's being forced to close at the end of August.
When I asked Pam about it, she said it was "something kinda stupid" and she doesn't want to go. She has a mailing list sheet at her shop for customers to sign, and she's asking people to write to the Market management if they want to see her stay.
I sent an email off tonight - Pam's is exactly the kind of unique business the market should be encouraging!
bzarcher
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I emailed David Wible, the market's Exec. Director: dwible@northmarket.com
meltsintowonder
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Based on previous events involving tenants of the North Market, I'd wait for Walker or North Market to provide some facts before taking action or campaigning.
somertimeoh
Harrison West
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berdawn
near that stretch of N. High Street in the Short North
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Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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Official Statement from the Market:
As you know, we have a community of more than 30 businesses and another 30+ growers/farmers. Each of those owners sign a lease commitment to operate their business here at North Market. It is important that all businesses meet or have a plan to meet their lease obligations. Only when a business cannot or will not meet their lease obligations are they subject to losing the privilege of operating here.
We appreciate the energy and enthusiasm Pam brings to the Market. We also think she has a great product. In order to have a business in North Market those qualities must translate into a viable operation.
Unfortunately, Pam's business was not able to meet its' obligations and we have been forced to not renew her lease. This was not an easy decision and we were diligent in our efforts to help make it work.
berdawn
near that stretch of N. High Street in the Short North
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Lanibug65
displaced
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I have to agree that it will be a shame to loose her as she has a great product, but her current location is not the best - I am sure that if she was closer to the doors or more central to the center of the market it might have been better for her but you just never know.
t_wms
Columbus, Ohio
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I think it's important to know that there are other things going on in the Market. The market board allows some merchants to owe back rent for years! At least two of them have recently owed several thousand dollars and been allowed to pay it off a little at a time. (I know this from the merchants themselves!) So....you have to ask yourselves, Why Pam and Why Now? When even the management says she is only two months behind in her repayment schedule? How do they decide who is allowed to owe back rent and who isn't? Why destroy her business by only giving her 30 days to vacate (in order to have yet ANOTHER empty stall in the Market) when other businesses get 90 days (which might make it possible to find another location)? No one is asking these questions, but then, no one ever questions the Market management or the board. It's just very sad that they are destroying another business.
DonnaTate
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t_wms wrote >>
I think it's important to know that there are other things going on in the Market. The market board allows some merchants to owe back rent for years! At least two of them have recently owed several thousand dollars and been allowed to pay it off a little at a time. (I know this from the merchants themselves!) So....you have to ask yourselves, Why Pam and Why Now? When even the management says she is only two months behind in her repayment schedule? How do they decide who is allowed to owe back rent and who isn't? Why destroy her business by only giving her 30 days to vacate (in order to have yet ANOTHER empty stall in the Market) when other businesses get 90 days (which might make it possible to find another location)? No one is asking these questions, but then, no one ever questions the Market management or the board. It's just very sad that they are destroying another business.
Would I be jumping onto Roland's mat by assuming this is Pam?
t_wms
Columbus, Ohio
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I'm not Pam, but I have bought her popcorn almost every week since she opened. Also, to be honest, I've gotten to know several merchants in the Market over the past years. And I've watched as those merchants are treated worse and worse, and the Market becomes more and more of a food court. I've been shopping there for fifteen years, and I hate to see these changes, and also hate to see small businesses destroyed like this.
drew
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t_wms wrote >>
I'm not Pam, but I have bought her popcorn almost every week since she opened. Also, to be honest, I've gotten to know several merchants in the Market over the past years. And I've watched as those merchants are treated worse and worse, and the Market becomes more and more of a food court. I've been shopping there for fifteen years, and I hate to see these changes, and also hate to see small businesses destroyed like this.
So you're a passionate customer with intimate insider knowledge of the workings of the North Market who was moved to sign into CU just to share thoughts on the relationship between the NM and its vendors.
I totally buy it!
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