West Side Market

The West Side Market is one of the most important and iconic institutions in Greater Cleveland. The
market is also one of the most impressive public markets in the world. For years the West Side Market
has supported local small businesses and their families who many have been multi-generational
vendors. The market has also served as a place for people to shop for a vast array of products, while
taking in the beauty and majestic nature of the building.

Despite the stature and legacy of the market, it is clear that the facility and its businesses are struggling.
The physical conditions of the market building are subpar, the marketing and promotion efforts have
seriously lagged, public gathering spaces in the market have not been maintained and there has been a
lack of new and innovative ideas and approaches.

It is still my contention that, like many public markets across America, we should evolve the market to
remain City owned, but to have a nonprofit model of management. This would mean that a nonprofit,
with its only mission being the wellbeing of the West Side Market and its vendors, would run the day to
day operations. This model has been proven to be successful in public markets here in Ohio and around
the country. I proposed this type of transition to the Mayor and key cabinet officials, but this proposal
was denied. Following that conversation, we reengaged on what we could do working together to
improve the Market short of a change in the model of management. After meeting with the community,
West Side Market Tenants Association and members of the Mayor’s Administration, the following are
key points and action items that could help the Market and allow it to thrive for the next 100 years. This
is not an all-inclusive list, but a good start.

Capital needs of the market

It is very encouraging that there is approximately six million dollars identified in the City of Cleveland’s
capital budget for the West Side Market. This allocation follows the thorough analysis of the facility that
was performed and recently updated. This is a great step and great news. In order to provide a clear
and transparent process, we should release a scope and approximate timeline for the capital repairs.
This step will ensure the vendors and greater community that the City of Cleveland is aggressively
investing in the building.

Marketing and promotion

While the West Side Market may be one of the most iconic and special places to shop, with increased
competition and changing consumer patterns, it is important that we have a robust marketing plan to
promote the Market. I believe that the City of Cleveland should put out an RFP for a multi-year contact
to bring in a professional marketing firm to create and execute on a widespread marketing plan to get
the word out about the market for new shoppers and those who have not been in a while. This plan
should leverage traditional and innovative approaches and technology to spread the word about the
West Side Market and increase foot traffic and shoppers in the building.

Support for our current vendors and work to bring in new small businesses

The West Side Market is blessed to have everything from multi-generational vendors, to new arrivals.
These small businesses are the lifeblood of the Market and are what make it so special. In order to
support our existing vendors, we should examine the lease structures to ensure that we are creating
clear terms that are fair and transparent. We should also entertain multi-year leases to reduce
bureaucracy and provide tenants with an enhanced ability to finance improvements and expansions. In
addition, we should examine what is requested of the vendors from a financial perspective, including
items like paying for security and more.

In an effort to fill in vacant stands, support new small business vendors and increase diversity in the
West Side Market, we should work with the City’s department of economic development to create a
program specifically tailored to the market that helps existing vendors invest in their businesses and
creates support for new businesses that want to come in. This should also be developed to intentionally
increase the diversity in the market. This could take the form of zero interest loans, small business
grants, equipment purchasing support, and even exciting approaches like a small business competition
that the community could participate in.

Days and hours of operation

Through looking at best practices around the country and through robust surveying and polling, we
should consult with shoppers and vendors about when the optimal days and hours of operation are.
Times have changed and so has the way people shop. We should adapt.

High quality and active public spaces in the market

As a public market, with the mission to support a thriving small business vendor population, we should
look at all public spaces in the market to see how we can maximize their potential.

We should develop plans for the 2nd floor space, formally the vendors locker room. Leveraging the
already allocated State of Ohio capital funds, we should develop and execute on plans to renovate that
space in a way that welcomes in the public and supports the mission of the West Side Market. Ideas
have been floated to make that space a test kitchen, small café and gathering space, and much more.
This is an underutilized space that could very positively contribute to the vibrancy of the market.

We should look for a place to create seating. Many markets around the country have seating areas for
shoppers to take a break, eat something they bought in the market, organize their groceries etc. We
should look at the largely vacant Lorain Ave. side of the produce arcade as a space to creatively convert
into seating.

We should also look at other public spaces in and around the building like the alleyways flanking the
produce arcade. Small and relatively inexpensive upgrades to these spaces like decorative lighting,
seating, public art and more can make these spaces more welcoming and attract more people to shop at
and enjoy the market.

Moving forward

The West Side Market is and will continue to be one of Cleveland’s most important assets. Working
collaboratively with interested stakeholders we can and must put forth, and make good on, a plan to set
the market and its vendors up for success for the next 100 years. This will take trust and change, but it is
critical for the success of this Cleveland landmark.