HARRISBURG, Pa. — Broad Street Market's Board of Directors voted to temporarily suspend a nearly doubled increase in rent for its vendors at a public meeting held at the Harrisburg Historic Association building on Wednesday evening.
The decision to suspend the rent hike was in response to public comments by vendors and members of the community who were outspoken at the meeting about January's announcement to increase rent from $2.67 to $5.25 per square foot.
"We have suffered financially, we want to stay in this community," exclaimed Kelly Farner, owner of Doggie Delights, during the public comment portion of the meeting. "We feel like we're expendable."
The board of directors says the decision to increase the rent was to cover the 70% in loss revenue caused by a fire that destroyed the market’s brick building in July. According to documents acquired by FOX43, the Broad Street Market is losing more than $13,000 on average monthly.
It was the unexpected spike in rent that many vendors emphasized at the meeting they just cannot afford.
"Where do you think we are going to get that money, if we can’t even afford a 100% rent increase?" asked Keri Little, co-owner of The Cheesesteak Guy.
The board says they will use the temporary suspension to explore other ways to make up the lost revenue, including persuading financial help from the city and possible deferred utility payments.
Though, to vendors, it’s a temporary solution to a much larger problem. The initial vote held in December to increase rent was made without vendor representation on the board, something they believe is unacceptable.
"We’re asking to be part of that conversation beforehand," said Theo Armstrong, founder of Zeroday Brewing Company. "[We want] to be in the room where those decisions are being made."
However, Wednesday evening, that changed, with the board of directors also voting to approve the appointment of an individual to one of the two open vacant vendor representative positions on the board.
It is currently unclear when the second position will be filled.
Vendors believe their voice is an essential part of a collective effort that is needed to keep an iconic Harrisburg community space alive.
"It is so much more than a farmer’s market, it’s literally a community hub," said Armstrong. "Losing that or at least a part of that has been detrimental to all of us."
They also emphasize they will need the community's support to get that done.
"We need the community’s support more than ever," said Armstrong. "If people can show up and support these vendors and support Harrisburg in general it means the world and it does matter."