Churchill: Farmers market hurts some businesses (Times Union)
This story by Chris Churchill was published in the Times Union on June 18, 2014.
Above: Times Union’s website, June 18, 2014. Click to enlarge.
In a column, Chris Churchill reported complaints from shop owners on lower River Street, beyond the end of TWFM’s outdoor stalls, who said the market drew few shoppers to their blocks while closing River Street to through traffic on their busiest day. River Street Beat Shop owner Jim Barrett said the businesses were “being strangled by the farmers market” and that city promises to extend the market toward them had proven empty; other owners, including pet boutique owner Paula Matt and River Rocks Bead Shop’s Theresa Albanese, said the same. Deputy Mayor Peter Ryan called the market “a fantastic atmosphere” but said the city can’t order it to extend; market manager Monica Kurzejeski said the market was looking for ways to help, while vacant storefronts gave a false impression there was little to see. Churchill called the market “an undeniable good for the city” but sided with the merchants.
“The big lie is that the farmers market is good for all the small businesses in Troy. In reality, it’s only good for those with proximity to the market.”
— Jim Barrett, owner of River Street Beat Shop, in the Times Union
Read the full story at the Times Union.