Erie Street Market info at Toledo Talk

I've created many more posts at ToledoTalk.com, regarding the Erie Street Market, which is another example of how Toledo grabbed defeat from the jaws of victory. The ESM was at its very busy and fun peak in 2001-2002.

From a May 2011 TT comment

• Aug 18, 2003 - Erie Street Market to be upgraded - The city is looking at bringing in new vendors, improving the food bay and parking, and enclosing the outdoor stalls so farmers can sell their goods year-round.

• Apr 12, 2004 - Save the Erie St. Market by wasting money - The redesign and relocation costs will run into the millions of dollars - money the cash-strapped city does not have in its capital improvements budget.

• Feb 15, 2005 - Trying to save the market - The former Frogtown Square area at the Erie Street Market is being converted into the Civic Center Promenade, that'll be used for special events and other happenings. Mayor Ford also says the market can't be forever supported by city tax dollars, and at some point if the market continues to struggle, it needs to be turned over to private hands.

• Jun 24, 2005 - $90,000 loan paves the way for wine, meat outlets

• Jun 28, 2005 - New Urbanism meeting recap - Bill [Carroll] was asked about the Erie Street Market. Bill said, "I think it needs some professional help." It needs someone with experience in developing markets like ESM. He said there have been some discussions about its future. Don't want to make it a flea market. Bill said there is no plan right now for ESM.

• Mar 6, 2006 - Erie St Market vendors take a blow - All vendors in the market bay of Toledo's Erie Street Market were told yesterday that they have two weeks to move out to make room for a major renovation project. The Libbey Glass Factory Outlet, Superior Antiques Mall, and the Civic Center Promenade will not be affected by the renovation project, which is anticipated to end before May 27, [2006] when the market will unveil its new look.

• Nov 17, 2007 - Erie Street Market: Another 'Lesson' for Toledo
  April 2008 comment - The California-based Tetra-Tech will pay Toledo $4.2 million for 27 city-owned parcels, including the Erie Street Market, as part of its plan for a $300 million riverwalk development near downtown along Swan Creek, Toledo Mayor Carty Finkbeiner said Thursday. The company will pay $1.2 million for the Erie Street Market and $1.8 million the city’s water distribution building at 401 South Erie St.

• Jun 26, 2008 - Erie Street Market : The new Main Event or Frankie's?

Other ESM info:

• The Erie Street Market circa 2001-2002 - There is a lot of empty space in the Erie Street Market now [August 2002]. A year ago, the ends of the aisles and every corner had some kind of little business. Now, it's about as empty as it was when I first visited the place, shortly after it opened. The Market losing businesses hasn't been an overnight thing. I noticed businesses disappearing at the beginning of this year. It used to be, when a business left, another one filled its spot right away. I don't consider the Market a good place to open a shop now. Last year, I heard that the lease rates for space at the Erie Street Market were raised a lot, and I wonder if [that] forced people out?

• The Erie Street Market opened in the former Civic Auditorium in May, 1997, after the city allocated $2.7 million in federal Housing and Urban Development funds and $1.8 million in city funds to restore the deteriorating structure.

• Compilation of ESM managers
  Connie Hoffman-currently [Nov 2007]
  Carl Schmidt Feb. 2007 – June 2007 (I think)
  Don Monroe August 2006 – Jan. 2007
  Peter Kepler April 2006 - August 2006
  Pat Nowak Sept. 2004-Nov. 2005
  Daniel Madigan Nov. 2002-July 2004
  Candace Baldwin May 2001-Sept. 2002
  Julie Champa Dec. 1999 – May 2001
  Carolyn Smithers Aug. 1998 - Nov. 1999
  Don Schultz March 1998 – July 1998
  January 1998 - Mayor Carty Finkbeiner fires the nonprofit group that managed the taxpayer-subsidized Market Place shopping center, home to the Erie Street Market and Libbey Factory Outlet Store. The Toledo Warehouse District Asssociation ran the shopping center under a contract with the city.
  Judy Paschalis Jan. 1997 - Dec. 1997.

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