Dear Mr. Bumb and Flea Market Operators, 

We do not agree with the outrageous price increases to parking and walk-in admission imposed by the Berryessa Flea Market owners and management. The following price increases that are proposed to take effect March 4th represent up to a 40% jump in the cost of entering the market and will have a huge impact on vendors, workers, and visitors to the market: 

Fridays from $3 to $5 
Saturdays from $7 to $10 / Walk in’s from $2 to $3
Sundays from $15 to $20 / Walk in’s from $3 to $5

The Berryessa Flea Market Vendors Association (BFVA), which represents 200 vendors at the Berryessa Flea Market, disagrees with the action and approach taken by the owners/operators. It is unacceptable to make these changes without the involvement of vendors, whose businesses will be directly impacted by this change. The increase in parking prices will result in more profits for the owners and market operators but will have a detrimental effect on vendors and their businesses. 

We demand a halt to the price increases and that vendors have a say when major changes that affect the market are made. Vendors deserve a more transparent and democratic process in which their is heard and taken into consideration when making changes of this magnitude. 

Outcomes: 

The owners of the market will increase their own profits at the expense of vendors, workers, and community members who will be squeezed out of even more money.
Fewer customers will visit the market, which will push more vendors into leaving the market “voluntarily”. 

Demands:

We demand that no price increase be implemented
A freeze in parking prices for the next 5 years
Parking should be free to all vendors and their employees 
No walk-in fee to promote more public transit usage 
Vendor voice in important decisions moving forward