Patch Blog: Rain Doesn't Dampen Thieves Market's Spirit

Even though the heavens opened and , a diehard group of Thieves Market vendors began to set up their booths for the public’s pleasure Sunday, Nov. 6  at 6:00 am. Vendors were looking forward to interacting with their customers: answering questions about the . But an hour later their merchandise was covered against the opening salvo of bad weather: an increasing drizzle took over. Vendors huddled in a shop overhang to discuss the weather and their future in Montrose, which is as uncertain as the 50/50 chance of rain. 

The Montrose Markets were beset by bad weather this weekend. Thieves Market Manager Jeff Decker cancelled the Thieves Market to send his vendors home. The vendors of fresh produce were allowed to stay according to Harvest Market Manager Mark Sheridan due to perishable merchandise; a brief break in the weather at noon brought welcome sunshine and customers, but the hailstorm later sent everyone packing in frigid conditions.

The next weekend forecast for Sunday, Nov. 13 is also predicting rain but vendors will be there so please support the Thieves Market this coming Sunday! It is especially important for supportive customers, community, and brick and mortar store owners to show support for Thieves Market at this time as the decision to eliminate 40 vendors has been tabled but not dismissed. 

The petition to keep the Thieves Market continues to circulate. The goal is to get as many signatures as possible from the hundreds of market customers, many of whom are unaware the traditional Thieves Market is threatened with complete removal by the Montrose Shopping Park Association (MSPA). 

Last Thursday the MSPA held their regular Board Meeting. I represented the Thieves Market vendors and presented an agenda item addressing the issue of the MSPA vs. Thieves Market. The meeting which was previously declared by the board to be closed to the public was opened under the Brown Act; a dozen members of the public were allowed in. 

Board members expressed support of Ashmore’s presentation and tabled the original agenda item (without discussion) which intent was to announce the elimination of Thieves Market vendors selling antiques and Primitives (tools, tin toys, pioneer and Victoriana) vintage books, vintage clothing, Depression-era glass and china, memorabilia, handmade goods (knits, quilts, jewelry, puzzles, greeting cards) and more. 

Terre Ashmore was asked by the Montrose Shopping Park Association Board to make a similar presentation this week to the Harvest Market Oversight Committee Tuesday evening. Several Thieves Market vendors will introduce themselves and their wares to the committee.