Council members attending the meeting were chairman Kelly Murphy and Sandy Duncan, along with Norm Meiskey, borough manager; Brian Long (market manager) and John Hinkle and Ann Grubb (market house advisory committee members). There were about a half dozen stand holders and three citizens.
Most of the 90 minutes the discussion centered on parking around the market house and advertising the market.
After much discussion between the committee and stand holders, it was decided that "free parking" on market days in the municipal lot. Other parking issues were discussed, but for now the free parking in the municipal lot was deemed a start.
On advertising issues, the budget for that was discussed and at the beginning of the year there was $3,000 in the market budget for that, but there were some ads published, leaving about $800 in that line item. Long said he priced an advertisement for Engle Printing and Publishing that would be a one time cost of $1,000.
Again, after much discussion, it was decided to run a much smaller ad in the Engle Publications and increase the advertising budget for a bigger ad later in the year.
One stand holder said about the advertising, "we need to let them know we are here, if we don't, there's no future here."
Long said a recent attempt to advertise the market on place mats was "not a great idea" and doing a recent survey, Long said the top three answers were newspapers, electronically or having a user friendly website.
"That's what the customers tell you," Long said.
Long suggested the key to a successful advertising campaign would be a frequent ad along with something that stands out. The stand holders rejected a plan to assist with the cost of advertising, saying, "no one is making any money, so we shouldn't pay to advertise."
"Things are going to have to get better or we are out of here. The market isn't improving at all, " said a stand holder.
One of the things I do when I attend meetings, events or games, I like watching the people for their body language or facial expressions. Well, during the meeting and why I used the expression "filing" is that one council member seemed more interested in filing her nails than what was going on at the meeting.
Murphy also talked a little bit about recent events at the market, which led to Long's pending resignation.
Murphy said he was frustrated by the happenings at the market and wants to move forward with improvements to the market.
12 comments:
This "Free" parking issue has me a bit confused. Why is it okay for the borough to allow free parking for Market business but not allow it for the small businesses in town?? My customers have to pay the borough to patronize my business. Not to mention I also live in this town, how many of the market stand holders live in Columbia?? So how much of thier profit is going back into the town?? This is absolutely ridiculous!!!! They need to be consistent on this and start showing local businesses that they actually care that we are here.
Why are Market Masters answering to stand holders? Shouldn't that be the other way around?
EVERYONE you need to start attending meetings and voice your vote. ask questions.
THAT MARKET HOUSE HAS BEEN THE TOWN'S "WHITE ELEPHANT" FOR MANY YEARS. I DON'T THINK THE BOROUGH HAS MADE ANY MONEY ON IT SINCE THE 1970'S. I THINK IT IS TIME TO CLOSE IT AND PUT GARAGE DOORS ON IT FOR THE POLICE CARS.
no no no - bad idea. make it a high stakes bingo hall
and bad idea to give free parking for the market house only and not for stores customers! - better to make free parking for all of downtown on market days - it's only fair and makes perfect cents
Follow the master plan that was developed with the community's input about 9 yrs ago! It has great ideas about what the citizens wanted to see at the market regarding food selections, hours, public/private uses for events and rentals,renovations/improvements,outdoor seating, management structure,etc. The market is supposed to serve as an attraction to give people a reason come and shop in the downtown and create an incentive for others businesses to stay or open here. Also, it was to serve as an incubator for small businesspeople, who may start out in the market because the rent is low, but eventually do well enough to move into a store in the downtown...like the example Taste of Styles deli. The market kind of started out on the right track but now, it seems like things got way off track. I would respectfully suggest going back to the original plan and following it!
William is correct. The time of the market house has long passed yet we keep holding onto the fantasy that it will actually be succussful much like many people cling onto the unrealistic dream that the downtown will once again be like it was back in the 50's and 60's. Just not going to happen. I do not agree in making into a garage. I think it will still have its' place as a venue for special events.
I think the market is an asset to the community, but the community needs to support it. It is a double edge sword you need the stands to draw the people but you need the people to support the stands. My question is why do the stand holders need to pay a fee at this point, why not invite the stand holders to attend for free for the next six months to a year until a strong customer base is established. I mean the market house should be owned by the people of the town, where does the stand fee go to anyway, electric and water? Without the market it would just be sitting there empty anyway.
Sara G has it right, the market house is a asset to columbia, and the the new market manager needs freedom to bring in new stands, key stands that will bring people there. The job was a sub contractor, now its a boro emplyee, to many restrictions room to move. Bring in more produce, and bring in corn wagons like the corn wagon. Make it the place to be every week, with good stuff that will make people flock here like the other markets. This can make columbia busy again, spend advertising each week, when the stand holders are making money then start charging what may be affordable. This is a tax payers market, what other part of the boro makes money or attracts people. Will the turkey hill, yes for them and it will help some with the low pay scale jobs it will bring, how much tax money will it bring, I'm sure there is a special deal somewhere. Sure people will visit it, and I hope it will bring visitores to the Watch museum, and to the glass factory. We can only hope.
From the article:
"The stand holders rejected a plan to assist with the cost of advertising, saying, 'no one is making any money, so we shouldn't pay to advertise.' "
Anyone else see the irony in the above statement?
Sarah G. - you got it girl! - that's the ticket to success in this Market !! - funny thing is that they fired Renee Seers for doing just that, cutting deals on rent to get people in - but that is what it will take and better now before it's too late!!
yep Tom - that's like saying I'm not going to buy glasses just because my vision is blurred
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