HARRISBURG, Pa. — The Broad Street Market Board of Directors will be holding a public meeting on Wednesday to discuss an increase in rent.
On Tuesday night, vendors of the Broad Street Market all signed a letter with a list of demands to the board and Harrisburg's mayor, Wanda Williams.
Vendors are hoping to receive a response before the public meeting.
The vendors say they are disappointed after they learned rent will nearly double next month from its current $2.67 to $5.25 for a square foot of market space.
The market's executive director said the fire that destroyed the brick building in July has resulted in a 70% loss in revenue – and the increase is needed to keep the market running.
Vendors outlined changes they want to see.
First, they want two vendors represented on the board. Secondly, they want a re-vote on the rent increase with those new vendor representatives.
The vendors said the board came up with the rent increase after evaluating similar rents at nearby farmers markets. The vendors said these numbers are exaggerated, and they would like a neutral party to re-evaluate the cost of rent.
Vendors also said those who have been at the market for over a year were given new month-to-month leases. They want to demand a right to sign a minimum one year lease after a re-evaluation of the rent increase.
Finally, vendors ask the board for fair and transparent leadership.
“The real fear is that small family-owned businesses are going to stop investing in Broad Street Market and the City of Harrisburg," said Theo Armstrong, a vendor and owner of Zeroday Brewing Company. "I think that is absolutely a bigger issue than just a slight rent increase.”
Vendors said they understand the need for the rent increase, but they believe the price is way to high.
FOX43 reached out to the board for comment. They said they will prepare a comment following the the board's discussion.
The public meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 10 at the Harrisburg Historic Association Building.