CLEVELAND — Vendors at Cleveland's iconic West Side Market continue to express frustration with the historic venue.
One vendor has decided to cease its operations, effective at the end of this month.
In a statement released on Thursday evening, The Basketeria said it will be moving out because of the market's failing infrastructure, lack of advertisement, and cooperation from stakeholders:
We regret to inform you that we will be ceasing operations of The Basketeria at the end of this month. Due to the struggles that have faced the West Side Market (failing infrastructure, minimal advertisement, and lack of participation and cooperation by stakeholders involved in the success of the Market), the path of vendorship is no longer professionally rewarding. There is a great deal of work to be done to return the Market to a viable and meaningful source of groceries and to modernize the facilities to accommodate modern food businesses. The projected timeline to realize these changes does not coincide with our personal aspirations and goals. We highly encourage those of you who are avid Market shoppers to continue your patronage of great quality small businesses that remain at the Market. You, our customers, are the lifeblood of any small business, and your continuous support makes them thrive.
Throughout the years of the Basketeria, it has been our dream and our privilege to serve and to feed our community. Thank you for supporting us and our mission to provide fresh, organic goods and to invest in sustainable Ohio agriculture. We thank you for sharing your friendship, for supporting our livelihood, and for bringing a piece of what we do to your tables.
Our final day of business will be December 31, 2018. We wish you all a prosperous new year and many more to come.
We've been covering the problems at the West Side Market for the last year or so. Last week, our Dorsena Drakeford talked to the owner of Basketeria, who told us despite a new boiler and gutters, extensive problems including electrical upgrades needed attention.
The West Side Market is on the National Register of Historic Places and dates back to 1912 making it the oldest indoor-outdoor marketplace in the city.