The location of the popular Ligonier Country Market could change for the upcoming season.
Ligonier Township supervisors are expected to meet Tuesday night to consider options regarding permits issued earlier this month for the weekend event.
The market, which runs through the spring, summer and fall, draws thousands of visitors. But the relationship between the market’s operators and its landlord appears to have soured.
One option includes potentially rescinding permits that were issued just three weeks ago, according to Supervisor Dan Resenic. He said township officials believe the current permits could be invalid after a dispute between the market and its landlord.
For the last quarter-century, the market has operated on land owned by the Loyalhanna Watershed Association, located just outside the Ligonier Borough limits.
In an email sent to market vendors, director Kelly Svesnik said the organization’s lease was terminated last week. Svesnik did not respond Monday to calls and emails seeking comment.
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• Ligonier Country Market’s appeal of opening date rule heads to planning board, supervisors
In her email, Svesnik told vendors the ongoing discord led to unsustainable changes that could impact the market’s future.
“In addition to simply outgrowing the space, a lot of big changes have been demanded, including the reduction of our number of vendors by almost half, adopting a rain cancellation policy and control over the type of vendors we allow,” Svesnik wrote. “We felt that we could not agree to changes that would negatively affect our vendors, and we began to look to the future and seek out possibilities for a new market home.”
Resenic said the dispute could jeopardize the market’s permits to operate this season.
“If they don’t have a valid lease with the watershed, then it’s a question,” Resenic said.
Township manager Mike Strelic said representatives from the watershed organization and the market are expected to address the board when it meets at 7 p.m. Tuesday at township offices, 1 Municipal Park Drive.
“We’re hoping to have both parties there to explain what is happening,” Strelic said.
Disputes between market organizers and the landlord have been ongoing for more than a year. Last year, the market banned vendors whose products are sold at more than 60 retailers or sold out-of-state.
In response to concerns about parking and pedestrian access, organizers limited the field of vendors to 130 last season. In past years, vendor counts had exceeded that total, officials claimed.
Svesnik noted in her email a new location for the market has been identified, though she did not provide specific details.
“This new location has much more room and includes all on-site parking for vendors and customers, more open vendor space, a bandstand, pavilion and improved traffic flow and pedestrian safety,” her email stated.
Loyalhanna Watershed Association Director Susan Huba did not return a call seeking comment Monday.