It was news some customers were hearing for the first time: At the end of the month, Basketeria Organics Owner Greg Shuck is closing up shop.
"The market has faced many struggles over the past year," Shuck told us. "We don't have confidence that that it's going to turn around in a timely fashion that we can accomplish goals in that timeline."
Over the past year, vendors have been vocal about their concerns, even documenting the problems they've come across like flooding issues, leaky ceilings and electrical complaints.
Marci and Chuck Boester make the drive from Richfield every week to come to the West Side Market, but over the past several decades, they say things have changed.
"They're not taking care of the property and they're not taking care of the businesses here," Marci said.
Shuck says he's seen some progress made, but not a concrete plan for the future.
"Without that, I don't have confidence in my place here at the market," he said."
Working here runs in the family: Shuck's father has his own shop right across from him where he's worked for decades. But for Shuck, making a long-term investment to stay and wait for steady and timely change is just not an option, at least for him.
But the hope for a successful future here is not lost.
"We don't want to lose the West Side Market," Marci Boester declared.
The city of Cleveland released the following statement regarding the market:
"The West Side Market (WSM) is an iconic facility, built more than 106 years ago. As with many historic structures, it requires ongoing maintenance and upgrades to align with today’s building standards. The City of Cleveland carefully oversees the facility and over the past 5 years has made more than $5.3 million in capital repairs. Repairs are made on a critical-first basis according to the allotted annual capital budget. Recent repairs include the installation of new boilers, improvements to some electrical systems, a new parking lot, roof repairs, new cooling systems and more. The City has previously assisted vendors through various means such as rent relief and subsidies. There had been no rent increases for nine years prior to 2016. At that time, a base increase was implemented. The 2016 increase was spread over a three-year period to minimize impact to vendors.
"Please also note that an extensive capital assessment of the facility is already underway, which includes upgrades to the market."
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