The concerns voiced at council are accurate: there are few vendors and fewer customers.
MORE HERE:
http://m.lancasteronline.com/news/local/columbia-s-market-house-is-struggling-and-solutions-are-difficult/article_9381aae6-80a7-11e4-a957-ff5317700bc0.html?mode=jqm
MORE HERE:
http://m.lancasteronline.com/news/local/columbia-s-market-house-is-struggling-and-solutions-are-difficult/article_9381aae6-80a7-11e4-a957-ff5317700bc0.html?mode=jqm
Columbia Spy 
Stick a fork in it; she's done. There just isn't the traffic downtown to support the thing. Sucks, but how long are we as a town going to keep this carcass that is a markethouse on life support? –FMB
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It's a shame the market has gone the way it is, no fruit or veggie stands, no flower stands, no bake goods, meat or chicken vendors, and nothing of any value. Some homemade products, jewelry stand, avon, 2 pretzel stands, TJ's and a rib stand. People want mostly food products when they come to market not specialty stands. For those standholders that have been there less than a year, they don't understand the drama. They side with the Trust!!! Well let's just wait and see what the grant, if received will do for the markethouse. Good luck to all!!!
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Hey “Anonymous”,….you coward! You want to make disparaging remarks about the vendor that's the main draw in the Market and use language that isn't even allowed on TV? You gutless coward!!!! Come out from behind that mask and say what you feel openly!
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These are great thoughts. I don't know why you wouldn't put your name on this post. Carmen has offered to do the job, (revitalize the Market), for FREE!!! By the trust ignoring her offer, shows that there is another agenda and YOU have described it perfectly!
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Funny how the great food at TJ's Cheesesteaks & More is missing from the list you've posted. Could you be the same anonymous, gutless coward that made the comments above about how “nice” the trust was to let him stay? It's obvious you have no idea why he's still there or you don't want to say it. He's caught up in government bullying in the form of “red tape”. If he goes, things will get REAL quiet in there.
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What's really aahame is this town has far bigger problems than a failed market house that needs the leaders attention & everybody's spending their time on this issue. If we don't address the costs of our school & police force, none of this trivial stuff matters. We as a town have got to prioritize our problem issues & address them accordingly. There will be no Columbia's markethouse if we file bankruptcy. This will be one of the assets that is sold to help settle outstanding debts.
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Check out Saveourmarket on facebook for some history on the market. I no longer have a stand but did for 2 years and yes we went every Avenue we could to make change all for not.
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Well said but know cares about those issues due to their resentment of change and to those who are looking to Columbia a better place for all.
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Your page has nothing to do with actually saving the market. You just want to tear it down since you are no longer there. Stop being selfish, you are only hurting the current vendors that want to be there.
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It does not make anyone a “naysayer” to ask WHERE it was advertised for the open Market Master position, or WHOM is interviewing as a candidate.Note: No one has answered these questions.
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I agree. When I go into a market I am looking for produce, fresh flowers, baked goods. Items I can take home to share with my family. Not Avon and tupperwear. I have to admit though, Susquehanna Blue Smoke is a draw for me – his meat and dry rubs are awesome.
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Hmm, let's see. Why would a weekday market fail? Because people who have money to spend actually work during that time! People who can sit for hours over a cup of coffee, while a vital part of our community, should not be the target demographic for the market. Columbia market will never have the critical mass to support a weekday market like Roots or Central Market. Just a fact. Provide some free parking, get actual produce stands that sell produce (maybe solicit some Marietta Market vendors, Marietta is open on Sundays, Columbia, if open on Saturdays, could help them out), get local meats, ban the crap items like Avon, and limit it to just homemade, local produce, meat and some prepared foods.
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To the commenter above, check your facts. Columbai market IS OPEN ON SATURDAYS!!! 8 am to 4 pm. Suggest you try it out or are you a part of the problem that I am referring to. There are only 2 types here – those who widh to be part of the solution and those who are part of the problem. Which train do you wish to get on board?
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Cole, here we sit. Just curious if anyone from the trust is reading this? Don Haines, Elaine Beckley, Cle, that's all I know that I can find as for names on the trust???. If so, I as a tax payer would encourage you to put your mouth where your money is and follow through on the one comment you say you are doing…. “DOING WHAT”S BEST FOR THE MARKET”. If you swear in to do what's in the best interest of the market, why not actually do it? I have seen two of the trust meeting, laughing as if their own pride does not matter. Gee, what is it going to take? I understand people should opt to stop for the Nay Sayers , but it's the nay sayers who are speaking the truth. We have asked for answers, we have giving patience, we have asked for just about everything and the more we get into this, the worse it get's. I personally think the Trust hides because they are to far into this and can't fix it…. People have offered their time, their advice, the vendors have begged, the Borough claims they are tied and often embarrassed… Trust, please take a moment and think what is important. Save your grace by doing the right thing. Make a call! everyone is willing to end this and change it for the better.
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As of about six months ago, the board members were as follows:Chairman Cleon BerntheizelVice-Chairman Don HainesSecretary Rebecca MurphyTreasurer Elaine BeckleyMember (nonvoting) Ed SchopfMember Jodie Eck (nonvoting)Member (nonvoting) as of yet unnamed
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I think the first four are still on the board, but I'm not sure about the rest.
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Cant get 5 people to show for council meetings. Good luck with the committee meeting.
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Cole, surprised you have not responded to the very negative responses to the LNP article on their website, comments like “Columbia is the armpit of Lancaster County…” and suggestions that they “sell crack in the market house”. Are we to accept this as a town, or do we respond back to LNP in kind?
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The only way to refute these accusations is to show them positive things in Cola to contradict what they're saying. Unfortunately there are way too many bad things & too little good things happening in this town to put a positive spin on things. On top of this our leaders are making so many mistakes ie ( market house, 13th St, Park School Park) that it looks like we are being run by a bunch of amaetures & will never be able to turn it around.
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Go here for an update:http://columbiapa-17512.blogspot.com/2014/12/market-house-trust-board-of-directors.html?m=0
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