WHY?
In our last correspondence, we told you about planned tactics to drive more traffic to the current location at 123rd and Morningside Ave (PS 125 playground). That was before the Department of Parks and Recreation began withholding Saturday permits to HMH. After granting us permits to operate for almost every Saturday in July and August, the Parks Department stopped granting HMH permits for consecutive Saturdays.
At first we were not given any clear explanation. Then we were told other events were previously scheduled. Then we were told one organization couldn’t monopolize the location. The Parks Department decided to dole out the remaining requested permits for September and October in a piecemeal manner – only one Saturday in September – and without reasonable advance notice of the Saturday dates that were approved.
In order to build a market following, an attractive vendor roster, book music acts, hire popular food vendors, arrange tour bus stops, plan for a weekly fruit and vegetable stand, or increase our advertising spend, we must first have a consistent location and know our operating dates. Therefore, our focus for the last 5 weeks has not been increasing foot traffic to the current location but instead fighting for more dates to operate at 123rd Street and Morningside Ave.
WHAT NOW?
Harlem Market Hub is now closed for this 2009 launch season. It will not open this Saturday, August 29th or for any future dates in September or October.
Thank you to everyone who registered to vend this Saturday and we apologize for any inconvenience this cancellation may cause. We feel it does not benefit our vendors, market buzz, or market momentum to continue to operate at present.
We are simultaneously exploring two location options for the May-November 2010 Market Season:
1. Working with (struggling with) the Parks Department to obtain the necessary 2010 permits to continue operating at 123rd and Morningside Avenue for at least 3 consecutive Saturdays each month, and then employing every tactic in the book to raise awareness of the market and increase foot traffic
2. Finding a new Harlem location on a private lot (and therefore, not governed by the Parks Dept.) that has better foot traffic and more of our desired target audience
We have solicited the help of Senator Bill Perkins, Assemblyman Keith Wright and Councilwoman Inez Dickens in our location search. On our own, we have found a couple of possible new locations which we are currently looking into for 2010.
We will use the next nine months to plan and prepare for next year, including gaining the assistance of community leaders, recruiting more vendors, and organizing a 2010 market planning committee. And yes there will be music, food, and fresh produce. But obviously first things first – location, location, location!
We believe in Harlem Market Hub and what it can add to the community. We know it’s a good idea, and you’ve told us you think so too. We welcome your continued input and participation on this journey.
Thank you all for your support of Harlem Market Hub these past two months. Your encouragement and words of advice have been extremely helpful and greatly appreciated. We fully expect to return bigger and better in May/June 2010.
Warmly,
Michael L. Campbell
