(Columbia Spy received the following letter. The author's name is withheld by request.)
I have had the pleasure of getting to know some of the stand holders at the Columbia Market House over the past several months. They are great people who are doing their best to keep things going. I'm new to Columbia, so I don't have the history of the Market House and what has been tried (or not tried) to promote its well-being. I do know it's a beautiful old building right smack in the center of town and I fell in love with it at first sight. I also understand that it has been under the watchful eye of a Trust over the past several years (now dissolved). It sounds as if the Trust did not achieve what it had hoped for concerning the Market House.
There are probably a lot of reasons why. For one, Lancaster County is stock full of Farmers Markets on different days of the week. Not to mention a person can go straight to the farm itself and purchase the items they want. There would need to be a reason to drive in to downtown Columbia to purchase produce, I would think. Especially if that produce is limited in selection. There are some awesome food vendors at the Market and they seem to do the best. There are other types of vendors that have quality items for sale, but the foot traffic is not there to support them. When a person walks in to the building there is a sense of emptiness from all the vacant stands; and it leaves one with the impression that the Market is not doing so well. People most often like to visit and hang out at places where there is excitement in the air, and the hustle and bustle of commerce.
I don't think the answer to the Market's success is necessarily money, although money is needed for certain aspects for sure. I think the Market needs someone who has a vision for the space and who can think outside the box. It needs someone who is creative and is allowed to implement ideas that might be outside the norm. There are so many ways in which the Market could be used. My question is, why haven't major changes been implemented already in the face of the obvious need to do something to bring people in?
I don't think the answer to the Market's success is necessarily money, although money is needed for certain aspects for sure. I think the Market needs someone who has a vision for the space and who can think outside the box. It needs someone who is creative and is allowed to implement ideas that might be outside the norm. There are so many ways in which the Market could be used. My question is, why haven't major changes been implemented already in the face of the obvious need to do something to bring people in?
Here are some of the ideas I've had, and I'm sure there are many others who have had ideas, too…
Consolidate the stands as much as possible to avoid all the empty space. Create a little café where everyone can sit and enjoy their food. Plaster the town with posters (can actually be done very inexpensively). Make the building look festive from the outside. Flowers planted, balloons, banners. Special events that are well planned and advertised. Split the Market in half, with a restaurant (or group of food vendors) on one side, and other vendors on the other side (kind of like Cracker Barrel). Begin a campaign to overcome any negativity associated with the Market. Have indoor concerts with local musicians. Have dances. Have Square dances. Have sponsored contests, such as a BBQ Cook Off (there's a great BBQ stand in the Market now that could compete) or a Fall Chocolate Festival (there's a great chocolatier there, too). Contests and competitions will always bring people in.
So many things that could be done.
So, I'm hoping that whoever is hired for the new Market Manager has a love for the Market, an excitement for getting things done, and is given the green light to be as creative as possible. Because to me it seems like that is what is needed the most; as Nike would say, just do it!
From a Columbia Borough Resident
