Is it just me, or has the Riverside Arts Market been incredibly dead the past month...?
I'm one of those who goes every single week. Me and my girlfriend have been marveling at the drop-off rate. Weird, because the weather has been gorgeous.
Also, last year, I remember more produce, food and local crafts, less "sh*t I could make at home with a glue gun or an oven"
Anyone else notice this? Has RAM his it's popularity peak, and people are just kinda 'over it'...(excuse the reference, but kind of reminds me of the popularity of the Jags in 96/97, and ever since it's been empty)? I really hope not. RAM is one of the best experiences Jax has.
I have also noticed the drop off. "Dead" is an exaggeration, but it certainly seems as though it has been declining.
Quote from: aaapolito on November 12, 2011, 03:51:48 PM
I have also noticed the drop off. "Dead" is an exaggeration, but it certainly seems as though it has been declining.
While 'dead' may be hyperbole, it is a useful comparison to last year and the beginning of this year. I believe attendance has gone down dramatically, as has the quality of the vendors. I say this with a heavy heart. I love RAM.
Doesn't it normally drop off as the weather gets colder, then pick right back up again in spring? That's been my experience the last 2 seasons, and the experience of others who have been around longer than I have.
I was there last week when the weather was absolutely miserable, clouds and wind and everything.
I have been going and think its great no drop off ive seen.
I was there today & it was pretty thin (not dead, just not very crowded). But then 2 or 3 weeks ago when the beer trucks were there it was packed. Why they don't allow them there more often is beyond me.
I honestly think the prices of the food & other goods scare off a lot of people. Don't get me wrong, I love supporting local businesses, but paying $12 for a basic sandwich, fries & a drink is a bit crazy. And most of the places are cash-only too. But then I understand that they probably have to overcharge to be able to make any money there. I'm sure the fees for being able to set up there are high for these little mom & pop places.
Jacksonville really needs more "common areas" where people like this can set up shop a couple days a week & not get raped by any BS fees (basically make it free). A real open-air local market. Hell, use one of the many surface lots downtown that sit empty every day. Mobile vendors would be welcome too.
It would be pretty cool to see one of our many surface lots converted for food trucks and vendors. Something like that would encourage walkability, spur small business growth and rid DT of another dead spot.
Is Wayne still gone?
Quote from: thelakelander on November 12, 2011, 10:15:12 PM
It would be pretty cool to see one of our many surface lots converted for food trucks and vendors. Something like that would encourage walkability, spur small business growth and rid DT of another dead spot.
What is their reasoning for not allowing this to happen? Because judging by the map of unused space you guys came up with, they certainly have it to spare: http://www.metrojacksonville.com/gallery/index.php?i=1360076259&ik=nnJL9XK&g=17798317&gk=Kwvwst
Seems to me that the Shipyards space would be better utilized for something like this instead of turning it into basically a grassy dead zone that gets parked on whenever there's a big football game (which isn't very often).
Quote from: peestandingup on November 12, 2011, 09:26:57 PM
I honestly think the prices of the food & other goods scare off a lot of people. Don't get me wrong, I love supporting local businesses, but paying $12 for a basic sandwich, fries & a drink is a bit crazy. And most of the places are cash-only too. But then I understand that they probably have to overcharge to be able to make any money there. I'm sure the fees for being able to set up there are high for these little mom & pop places.
It doesn't scare me off, I always find Five Points to be just a pleasant walk away if I want to get some food. Of course I know most people don't like to walk as much as I do. :)
I think another possible issue is that since it is open every single week for such a large part of the year, the experience week to week is not as varied as one would hope. I mean, that's the main reason I don't go every week...I'm often just off doing something different. I noticed that they do hold some special events (like the beer thing) and do their best to highlight the more popular musical performers. I'm certain more of that will help.
Quote from: danem on November 12, 2011, 11:44:02 PM
Quote from: peestandingup on November 12, 2011, 09:26:57 PM
I honestly think the prices of the food & other goods scare off a lot of people. Don't get me wrong, I love supporting local businesses, but paying $12 for a basic sandwich, fries & a drink is a bit crazy. And most of the places are cash-only too. But then I understand that they probably have to overcharge to be able to make any money there. I'm sure the fees for being able to set up there are high for these little mom & pop places.
It doesn't scare me off, I always find Five Points to be just a pleasant walk away if I want to get some food. Of course I know most people don't like to walk as much as I do. :)
I think another possible issue is that since it is open every single week for such a large part of the year, the experience week to week is not as varied as one would hope. I mean, that's the main reason I don't go every week...I'm often just off doing something different. I noticed that they do hold some special events (like the beer thing) and do their best to highlight the more popular musical performers. I'm certain more of that will help.
True. Five Points is close by for cheaper food options. Although I would argue that half the fun of the Arts Market is all the different types of food vendors available in a small area. And I kinda would hate to not eat there to support the local fare if I'm already down there anyway (even with the high prices).
You could be right about the experience not being different enough from week to week. I feel the same way. However, I don't think it's our fault for feeling this way. Because they're mostly treating it like an event, when instead these things should be integrated into the community, like a real market should be (sorta like Charleston's City Market, which is open daily BTW). The Arts Market is great & all, but it honestly feels more like an afterthought. Tucked in there underneath a freeway, away from where there's actually pedestrians or residential, etc.
Yeah, the food prices are getting pretty insane. A large iced tea at one booth was $5.
Variety is certainly a problem, I used to go about once a month but the only thing that I ever noticed changing were fewer booths. Before that I went on a regular basis to get stuff I routinely wanted- I really liked the pasta vendor that was there and the meat pies but they aren't there anymore and the other stuff aside from the art is readily available elsewhere and usually for lower prices.
And how much income has that boat ramp generated? The only boat I've ever seen use it is the taxi but I thought it was to be this amazing boon to wealthy boaters who wanted art and funnel cakes.
The booth prices are cheap, like $39. The reason there are fewer vendors is that the vendors have to be okayed by a committee at the beginning of each season now so a lot of vendors were cut out. In the beginning it wasn't like that. Also, my friend and I had a booth up there for many years, but honestly after the first few years vendors noticed that people weren't purchasing as much so it became not as worth it to spend 9 hours out there (that includes set up and break down). I think it would be more successful if it was once a month or if the hours were 11-2. Supply and demand. The demand has dimished so bring the supply down and even it out.
Pros:
-I'd be lying if I said this isn't one of the best events Jax has going for it. Anytime I have someone from out of town in, I take them there. San Fran, Sicily, NYC...all of them love it.
-Beer fest
-Pretty damn good food.
-Something to do that's local and within walking distance on a Saturday.
Cons:
-Can be too expensive--I spend about 40 bucks there each Saturday between Pele's, a bahn mi, an iced tea, and something random.
-NO change from week to week. It can get boring when you know exactly whose selling what/when/where and for how much.
-The quality of the products for sale have gone down from last year. Frankly I can't think of a better word other than "cheap"--could hardly walk out without someone asking me to buy knick knacks and a 7 year old girl hustling me for a rice crispy treat.
-A lot of the "cool" food vendors left, i.e. the meat pie guy, pasta, etc....
-RAM is becoming less eclectic and interesting--more average and boring.