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Ousted vendors question judging

18.05.12

But this year came a dose of bad news: Hatosy failed to score high enough under the market's newly installed jury system, getting a 3.8 out of a possible 5. He received a form letter saying he'd fallen short after being judged on his product, display and customer service. His mobile "Charleston Cup" operation wouldn't be allowed space when the market reopens April 7.

"How could they give me a form letter for someone whose been there for more than five years?" he said last week about his rejection.

"To say that my coffee isn't good is like saying a Maserati isn't a good sports car. Why am I being picked on?"

Hatosy isn't alone. Several other vendors who relied on the market to make ends meet, or to supplement their take-home, have been told they'd failed to make the grade and couldn't come back.

Also cut loose was Jim Hardee of Coco's Donuts, an eight-year farmers market veteran. Hardee, of Orangeburg, said he sold more than 2,000 doughnuts on his Saturday set-ups to eager and repeat customers.

Source: Charleston Post Courier