A Lakewood business hosted a fundraiser Saturday to benefit the victims of the West Side Market fire

LAKEWOOD, Ohio - Customers were tugging at the doors of Cleveland's West Side Market Saturday in hopes that it reopened. Unfortunately, only the produce building was open.

On January 30, 2013 a small fire broke out inside the historical West Side Market. Workers are still busy cleaning, painting, and doing everything necessary to pass inspection.

Until final approval is granted by the City of Cleveland, vendors are not able to enter the building and start stocking their counters with fresh food. The vendors are losing a lot of money.

"Pretty much everything that was in the market, including food that was in storage had to be tossed out. Pretty much everyone will be starting from scratch" said Walter Turczyk, a West Side market employee.

Turczyk organized a fundraiser to help out his fellow vendors. Musicians and local business people contributed their time and money to a benefit that was held at Lakewood's 5 O'clock Lounge. All of the money raised will go directly to the vendors to help re-establish themselves.

"Everything from food, to paper products, to shopping bags had to go. Everything has to be replaced" said Turczyk.

A number of vendors did not have adequate insurance to cover their losses from the fire.

A special site has been set up through facebook for anyone wishing to make a donation.