Patch Blog: Harvest Market Oversight Committee Blindsides Vendors

Last night’s in Montrose was cancelled without notice. Montrose Shopping Park Association (MSPA) President, Alyce Russell said, 'All meetings and discussions concerning the Harvest Market and Thieves Market have been cancelled for the remaining year (when new board members can “handle it).' She added after Sunday’s violent rain storm that 'Thieves Market will probably be rained out the rest of the year anyway.'

Myself, Terre Ashmore, representing Thieves Market vendors had a presentation for the Harvest Market Oversight Committee (which was to meet on a clear Tuesday night at 5 p.m.) went unheard but the text will be sent to the board members and published here on Montrose Patch. Thieves Market vendors who planned to introduce themselves to committee members at the meeting were disappointed. 

The fate of 40 Thieves Market vendors is in jeopardy as the MSPA continues its ; a farmers market, craft and antiques fair that attracts hundreds of customers every Sunday on Honolulu Avenue in Montrose. Public opposition is strong; a petition against the board’s decision circulates every Sunday and has reached 200 signatures. Several vendors were eliminated in October and others had their spaces cut in half. 

Russell questions whether the MSPA regular Board meeting is required to be open to the public under the Brown Act. She is in 'discussion with the City of Glendale’s attorney and although Glendale gives the MSPA $15,000 every year' Russell and other board members) do not believe the public should have access to the meetings. Monies (such as the $15,000) from Glendale for the MSPA are public monies thereby covering regular board meetings by the Brown Act and guaranteeing public right to attend. 

The regular November MSPA Board meeting was reluctantly opened to the public and the December MSPA regular board meeting is currently expected to be open to the public. That meeting is Thursday, Dec. 1 at 8 a.m. at , on the corner of Oceanview Boulevard and Florencita Drive. I am on the agenda to speak on updates and improvements to the Thieves Market booths. Russell suggested one of the board members walk through the market with myself to discuss MSPA concerns. 

According to Russell, this larger half of the market is being reduced because 'the produce manager Mark Sheridan asked for more spaces for more produce vendors.' Russell also discussed the creation of Thieves Market in 1968 and said later an Arts and Crafts Market was added and 'market manager John Drayman created Thieves Market adding antiques, vintage and collectibles to the hand-crafts.'

last summer and according to Russell, 'we really aren’t allowed to change a thing in the market until the ongoing investigation is complete.'