Michael Symon might be in New York this week taping The Chew, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t following the news of the West Side Market fire with a heavy heart.
“It’s just horrible, especially for the vendors,” he told me. “At my restaurants, if we shut down, we have insurance for lost sales. A lot of these vendors are too small and don’t make enough money for that type of insurance.”
While the length of the closure is still uncertain, one thing is for sure: Symon, once again, will do what he can to help.
“What I’m trying to do is go above the political bullshit and get something together quickly while the market is still on the tops of everybody’s minds,” he explains. “Fortunately, the 100th anniversary brought a lot of positive attention to the market and many more people, because of that, now know how great of a place it is.”
Symon says that he’ll be working with local restaurants and citizens to raise money that will go directly to the vendors. Details will be coming together over the next few days. Stay posted to his Facebook page and Twitter feed for details.
This article appears in Jan 30 – Feb 5, 2013.
According to the PD, all vendors are required to have insurance against lost product.
Well why not pop up vendor sites in and around Ohio City?? If I knew Vinces meats or OCP had a temp spot somewhere I’d go and buy their crap cause 1) they can still make a bit of cash and 2) I’m hungry!!!!!!!
lost product is different from lost sales, sadly.
All the vendors are suffering, not just those affected by fire or smoke damage, but also the fresh market stands. Consumers may not want to shop just half the market…
They are accepting private donations as a way to help out. You can do it online, or at any first merit bank location.
Okay so on the other side of the fire….
WSM is STUPID busy and cleaner than a whistle!!!!
Almost a good thing that the fire happened….
I don’t really like saying that but jeeze….WSM is so fresh now!!!!