The Ligonier Country Market’s failure to fulfill the terms of its site lease with the Loyalhanna Watershed Association has the community staple of 50 years teetering on the brink of extinction. Market leadership must stop wasting time attempting to acquire inferior, problematic locations in the 11th hour.
Instead, to ensure the opening of the 2026 season, leaders must take needed actions to restore its 25-year relationship with the watershed association for the sake of all stakeholders — merchants, residents, vendors, visitors, and public and private entities. Petty threats of legal action against public and nonprofit entities must stop.
Market director Kelly Svesnik must make amends to the watershed association board of directors and executive director Susan Huba for failure to fulfill several straightforward terms of the original lease. A comprehensive plan must be developed that will achieve and maintain compliance with the terms of a new lease to avoid future disputes.
The market board of directors must restore the market to a smaller, agricultural-driven experience. Moving forward, through actions and words, the board and Svesnik must strive to support the Ligonier community, and not plunge it into another avoidable crisis.
Linda J. O’Sullivan
Ligonier