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The city market in the square is one of the things that we find most fun during the summer here in Sandpoint. The variety or wares and colorful vendors give it a true small town feel and draws us in to shop almost every day it is open. Besides the market vendors, we invariably will also do business with the permanent shops and restaurants as part of our routine.

We were sad to learn that one of our favorites, Bob, the chef who makes those delectable turnovers and wonderfully satisfying biscuits and gravy from his trailer, will soon be relocating. When told of our disappointment and after urging him to stay, he told us it had just become too expensive and burdensome to make it worth his while.

I didn’t press for details but apparently there were some issues about the electrical bill, protecting the grass, and the space rental costs. Every business has expenses and small businesses are no exception but I sure hate to see the market lose this vendor. I know that rules are there for everyone and competition is what drives the economy, but I have to wonder is this another example of overly burdensome government ruining a good thing? Do we really have to drive a stake into the heart of a much loved feature of our community by extracting every nickle we can from the market vendors? Who’s next?

Whatever ultimately forced Bob’s decision, I can only say is that Sandpoint is the loser and Ponderay the winner in this case. A real shame.

STEVEN MORGAN

Sandpoint