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After a pushed the town fair from in 2009, it found a new home at Honeygo Village Center.
Two years later, however, fair planners no longer feel welcome at the shopping center, said Lynn Richardson, president of the .
Parking disputes and complaints from multiple store owners and managers during the July 9 fair have compelled the planning committee to find a new location for the 2012 , Richardson said.
"If they really think we are harming their businesses, I can't put anyone through that. ... We're about building business," she said. "We will have the fair next year, but I don't know where we're going to go."
This year's record-breaking attendance—estimated at more than 13,000—also brought an increased need for parking. The , , two fields and street parking were reserved to accommodate the influx of fair-goers.
But some parking spaces closest to the fairgrounds were intended only for shopping center customers and workers.
The fair's planning committee prevented fair vendors from parking outside the , Richardson said, but was not responsible for fair attendees who did not follow directions.
Weis Manager Greg Harper confronted Richardson and others about the parking situation during the fair, Richardson said.
When contacted by Patch, Harper confirmed that he spoke to Richardson but refused to comment on the parking dispute.
William Matthew, owner of the shopping center's franchise, also confronted fair planners about a parking dispute.
Richardson said store management had agreed to make the entire parking lot available for handicapped parking during the fair, but decided otherwise on the day of the fair.
Matthew said two-thirds of the store's parking was made available for the fair, but the last third was needed for customers and workers. He said he did not receive any increase in business during the fair and would prefer that it does not return to the shopping center.
"Parking was very poorly handled," Matthew said. "To say we were not cooperative is a lie. I'm saddened we were not able to come to a resolution."
County Councilman David Marks, a member of the fair's planning committee, said he was disappointed by disputes with business owners.
"It's a great location. I would love to come back," Marks said during the fair. "It's unfortunate that a minority of business owners do not want us here."
Patrick Vitek, manager of , located at the corner of the shopping center, said the restaurant took advantage of fair crowds. "It was a hot day—we had a nice crowd in the bar and in the dining area," Vitek said.
"Parking wasn't crazy," he added. "We had to park in a far lot but it wasn't bad."
Richardson said her committee would begin searching for a new location immediately. She hopes the new location will accommodate more attractions, including a water slide and pony rides.
Since they are never going to develop that park they were using as a parking lot this year at Joppa/Honeygo, might as well use that.
We see where priorities lie, though, don't we - Megan Knauer notwithstanding. I agree with Mark's early post about Perry Hall Shopping Center. Regardless of the traffic complications, I'd try it for a year and see how it went.
Honestly, if Perry Hall would ever actually be home to a good bagel place, I'd have just about no reason to go there. Not that their bagels are good, but it's the only place I know of to get a cooked bacon/egg/cheese on a bagel. It's sad, Perry hall has a dozen pharmacies, half a dozen different supermarket chains, yet no Whole Foods type place and not a single real bagel joint. Talk about a blind spot in the market.
I like their lunches but have to be careful as the sodim content of their foods - even breads - is through the roof :/
he lost my business for life n the other 13,000 people that were at the fair! duh marketing is key to success
Karrie Barresi Property Manager Fullerton Self Storage
1. Event cordinator did not meet with all businesses in the shopping center 2. Did not received any lay out of the event or the parking areas if there was a web site we should of been made aware of but of course event cordinator never told US!!! 3.Mrs. Richardson made call to busineses two to three days about the parking lot for dunkin donuts which own part of the area that she used and failed to mention that the dunkin donutsgave her permission to use. Then decided she also wanted the parking area infront of the business!!! 4.if parking was an issue which it was for weis they should of handed out parking tickets limited for time if not met they got a ticket thats how you solve that. 5.Lynn need to be replace if you ever need to see how an event is run check out the HON Fest Thats how an event is run. 6. You don't let other people that have the same things in the festival, in the festival or pick their spots, thats not a choice! 7.Its very unprofessional of Mrs. Lynn Richarson to go on record and not stating the facts about the town center. 8.Vendors also complained of where they were being thrown in in areas they didnt belong. 9. Instead of fixing the problems to keep the fair in the shopping center, she just gives up but of course thats what you do when you don't know how to run an event!!!!!! Chrome Salon Owner
11. We do appreciate that the town fair brought new faces to the shopping center. 12. IF THE TOWN FAIR EVENT CORDINATORS WOULD OF MET WITH AT LEAST ONE PERSON IN THE SHOPPING CENTER TO BE IN CHARGE OF HELPING OUT THAT MIGHT OF HELP IN THIS SITUATION. THIS CAN BE SOLVED VERY EASILY INSTEAD OF BEING A ONE PERSON CORDINATING EVERYTHING.