The image in the screen capture shows that 2 vendors at the Ann Arbor Public Market, Carol Vena and Denise Brock, each holding 3 stalls, operate as a single business entity at the Northville Farmers Market. Is it fair to other vendors in the Ann Arbor market that these two are allowed to operate as two separate business entities? What is going on here? Does the management of the Ann Arbor market not realize that this prevents other vendors from gaining seniority and a stall space on the highly coveted "main aisle"?
This unfair monopolization of scarce public space has been formally complained about numerous times. Market manager Jessica Black was informed about this, former market managers Louise Wireman and Maxine Rosasco were also aware of this, but all chose to do nothing, even though this practice violated Market Operating Rules.
What is even more galling is that vendors Carol Vena, Denise Brock, Delores Gracia, Tina Koski, and T. Gracia all use the same greenhouses in Belleville, MI. This family unit is allowed to take 16 stalls at the Ann Arbor market!! With only 144 stalls in total at the Ann Arbor market, thats over 10% of the stalls being controlled by one family? Is this a Market Mafia or what?
This practice also prevents the needed diversity of the marketplace, prevents competition, prevents Ann Arbor consumers from making choices, prevents new vendors from gaining a foothold, prevents innovation, and prevents others from making a decent living. This is unfair, and should be changed. Ann Arbor consumers should complain to the new Public Market Commission and City Council to get them to discontinue small groups from monopolizing our public spaces.
5 comments:
Yes, this has been known for some time. Consumers became aware in early 2000 when Denise Brock was found selling "her own plants" from"her own stalls"
but had customers write out a check to vena's greenhouse. Try it yourself see if their practice has changed. Jessica was overheard stating this was okay and that vendors should stop complaining. I believe Mr. Pollack also stated something similar to Jessica.
It's also startling when Delores Gracia brings over products from her stalls and has Carol and Denise sell them in their stalls.
Jessica Black received this info approx. 2 weeks ago and has not responded. Doubt she ever will as this is the state of the market, not to respond to vendors.
I purchased items from Denise Brock's stalls. Denise told me to write the check to Vena's greenhouse. I purchased items from Tina Koski's stalls and was told to write the check to Gracia greenhouse. Why did the city ignore the letter and cancelled checks I sent them regarding this matter as far back as 2002? This is negligent behavior of market management considering these vendors sell food products. Consumers should be beware of these businesses as this is fraudulent business practices.
Here's what management has to say..
I have spoken with various city staff regarding your email below as well as reviewed the market files for Denise Brock and Carol Vena. There is no new information and thus, they are both entitled to three stalls as they are separate operations at the Ann Arbor Farmers Market. The information that you shared in the email does not pertain to the Ann Arbor Farmers Market.
Okay city staff, what your basically stating is the following....
So when Vena's greenhouse is in Northville market the products are both Carol's and Denises. Howerver when at the ann arbor market vena's greenhouse products are only carol's.. That's jayne Miller for you!
Sounds to me like the new Market Manager, Molly Notarianni, is cloned from the same stock as Jessica Black. Apparently she doesn't have a choice in the matter and has to take orders from Jayne Miller. Too bad, I was hoping for a real change.
This really SUCKS!!
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