Thank You and Goodnight, Ithaca Farmers Market
Dear Friends, Gimme! Coffee will be shutting down our Ithaca Farmers Market operations on October 11, 2009. We won't be back in 2010.
The Market charter requires the owner of each business to be present for 25% of market hours. Unfortunately, I am not able to attend at that level, given my other responsibilities with Gimme. In the past, enforcement of the rule was more lax. The Board of Directors recently determined that strict enforcement of the rule is in the best interest of the Market. So, Gimme! Coffee will no longer be at the Market.
It has been an absolute pleasure to be part of this community nexus all these years. I wish we could stay, but I understand the importance of enforcing charter rules evenly. I have confidence in the Ithaca Farmer's Market Board, and that it's governance will preserve and protect this important local treasure for years to come.
We very much look forward to serving you at our Ithaca and Trumansburg locations.
All the Best,
Kevin
Latest Photos
John Ginsberg-Stevens Oct 3, 2009 – 6:54 AM
Well, that sucks.
I don't know the IFM rules very well, but the effect of that rule is to keep out businesses like Gimme! which, despite its size, is very much a local business. It seems to put a limit on successful local enterprises whose owners have greater responsibilities contributing to the market.
The Market will be poorer for y'all not being there.
charlie stadt Oct 8, 2009 – 5:43 AM
I DO know the rule in effect,It requires the principal owner to attend 25% of the market days. the Limit is participation.
Greater responsibilites?
Keep out Gimme,Kevin had about five years of"looking the other way"about this rule
don't make it the market being the bad guy
Brian Goodwin Oct 10, 2009 – 11:49 AM
wow that's an old picture.
isn't community, retail, coffee education, local business reppin', local business supportin' part of running a company? This is a huge blow to the farmer's market and the ithaca local business community. Rules apply to everyone, as Gimme is still tiny in the grand scheme of things, 10 weekends a season is too much to ask when you can gain so much from being there?
sheesh.
was the market operation just not profitable enough to keep Gimme interested?
Don Oct 10, 2009 – 12:03 PM
Charlie, you seem to have some issues -- nobody is making anyone "the bad guy", except you. The OP noted that the rules are the rules, it's a shame that's the way it is, but no hard feelings & good luck to everyone. The follow-up just noted that it sucks, which it does. No Gimme! is worse than having Gimme! there, so the market will be a little poorer for those Iof us who love coffee.
Not sure what your axe to grind is, but you seem to be the only one flinging blame.
Kevin Cuddeback Oct 10, 2009 – 8:09 PM
There's no question that the IFM is a great small business incubator. I can understand how the 25% rule serves the mission of the market and I'm thankful we've been able to stay as long as we have.
The IFM is not the "bad guy" and I don't feel like we're being unfairly treated. I'm optimistic that an owner-operated, quality-driven coffee vendor will apply for membership and pick up where we're leaving off. Everything will be just fine.