CLEVELAND — It's been almost five months since the iconic West Side Market in Cleveland's Ohio City neighborhood moved from being managed by the city to the nonprofit Cleveland Public Market Corporation.
Are vendors starting to see a change? Keep in mind that the landmark has been in operation since 1912, so things don't always happen in a hurry here.
Jason Scott has been at the West Side Market since he was 16, taking over his stand around three years ago. He knows the potential of the market.
"Since the nonprofit has taken over, they're trying their best to do their best with what they have," he told 3News.
Customer Sally Stipic noticed the changes after not having visited the market in many years.
"I think it was just a hot mess. I swear to God, it was just — it made me anxious," she said.
CPMC took on the challenge of running a market that has structurally suffered over the years.
For instance, a power outage in April demonstrated the building's weakness when vendors were forced to put some of their products in the garbage.
CPMC Executive Director Rosemary Mudry is trying to solve that problem and many more, but it takes time.
"Generators have a year or more of lead time just to purchase one, so that's part of the master plan, which includes a whole array of improvements," Mudry explained.
There have been simple improvements, like new outdoor seating which customers have wanted for many years. But Mudry and her team are also working to promote the historic market.
"We have a chef series, where chefs come shop the market and prepare a dish based on market ingredients," she added. "That gives us an opportunity to showcase many different merchants."
Merchant Francisco Estrade is hoping one change happens sooner than later.
"More policing in the area," he said, "and I know the city is struggling with that."
As for Scott, he has high hopes for the new leadership team the market has and says maybe it will translate into new business.
"The old administration didn't do anything," he said, "so I believe that they're (CPMC) doing their best with what they have right now."