Cleveland's West Side Market Tenants Association reports at least three popular stands at the market will close by the end of the year.
Association President Vince Bertonaschi told News 5 growing vendor rent costs imposed by the City of Cleveland and parking problems are partly to blame.
Bertonaschi said sales at the West Side Market are down by some 50% in some cases, and without a rent reduction he expects more stands to close in 2017.
"They are ruining a Cleveland icon, they're ruining it," said Bertonaschi.
"You're going to lose more than four stands. It's a domino effect. I had that at the Central Market, I know."
Bertonaschi said Rolston Poultry, The Soup Center and Judy's Oasis are some of the stands that will close in the coming weeks.
News 5 took this case to Ward 3 Cleveland Councilman Kerry McCormack who said he would look into a rent reduction for vendors at the market and said he wasn't aware four stands at the market were closing.
"That is a conversation that I absolutely want to have," said McCormack.
"That's a conversation that we have to have with the administration, with the vendors at the table."
McCormack said the city already granted market vendors a reduction on their December rent but said he would pursue a more permanent rent decrease in the form of a new contract.
News 5 reached out to Cleveland Mayor's office about the economic situation at the West Side Market, but we still have not been given a response.
