PRINT
The World Choir Games took over Cincinnati for two weeks this …
BREAKING NEWS
WCG Market Garden food vendors say city overpromised and under-delivered
Vendors reported dismal sales last week
Vendors at the World Choir Games Market Garden, the outdoor marketplace at Fifth and Race streets dowtown, say business has been dismal and they blame in part the city of Cincinnati.
Copyright 2012 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Posted: 07/10/2012
CINCINNATI - The record heat last week is rightfully taking the blame for a lot of devastation in our area. But is it the only reason for the dismal sales at the World Choir Games outdoor marketplace at Fifth and Race Streets?
The vendors say no, and that the city overpromised and under-delivered.
"We're getting murdered, killed is an understatement, we're getting murdered. Somebody should go to jail for this," Sidney Warren, World Choir Games Market Garden vendor, said facetiously. He had to cut his prices at his booth selling lemonade, French fries and chicken fingers to boost sales this week.
"The first five days, some of us were doing $15 a shift. It was pathetic," said Tom Acito, owner of the mobile food truck Cafe de Wheels.
"We've been a little disappointed in the customer count," Patty Hannika, Sugar Plums CupCakery said.
Vendors also say the city bused choir participants out of the city and also fed them at least one meal a day at the Duke Energy Center.
"I just think that they stacked the deck wrong on everyone here," said Warren.
"There were promises of literally thousands of people flooding into town," Acito added.
Tiffaney Hardy from the city manager's office admits business was slow last week, based on the record heat.
"We just appreciate the patience and the dedication of the folks that are staying here," Hardy said. "We're doing everything. We've got messages on the jumbotron at Fountain Square. We're handing out post cards."
But vendors say it may be a little too late for them to recoup their booth rental investments. Warren says he paid more than $1,000 and he's not close to breaking even.
"I still believe in the city, it's just hard to believe in the situation and the end product ends up being this," said Warren.
"As an independent entrepreneur, I would like to know that the city is behind us succeeding, all of us," Acito said. "And so far, it just doesn't seem that way."
Hardy from the city manager's office said they are considering how else they can accommodate vendors considering what they've invested.
Copyright 2012 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
International choir finally gets to perform for an audience …
- Choir Games Photos
