The Fenton Street Market might close next year if the Montgomery County starts charging market organizers the Veterans Plaza rental rate of about $1,200 per week.

This year, market founder Hannah McCann pays about $50 per week in administrative fees to rent the space for 10 hours each Saturday. But county officials say the for-profit venture must pay the same rental rates as other groups interested in the space next year to ensure equitable access to the plaza.

The Fenton Street Market is an artisan fair staged Saturdays on Veterans Plaza in downtown Silver Spring. About 60 local jeweler, artists and other vendors gather in the space each week to sell their wares.

McCann said although she charges vendors $40 to exhibit, the bulk of that money goes toward advertising, marketing, staff costs and insurance. She nets about $36 per week, she said. The market is a benefit corporation, meaning it is for-profit—and is thus charged the county’s for-profit rental rate—but its mission benefits the community. The market brings $1.9 million per year in business to the market and surrounding businesses, according to a market-commissioned economic impact study.

“I live right here in downtown Silver Spring, and so it’s really important to me that this is a positive force in our community,” she said.

McCann said the market doesn’t require the staffing and cleanup usually associated with county rentals. She and her volunteers leave the plaza cleaner than they found it, wiping down tables and chairs each week.

“That’s the kind of tenant we are,” she said. “I feel like we’ve proven ourselves in so many ways this year. I’m not asking for the space for free. I’m willing to pay more than I’m paying, but I don’t think it’s fair to ask for something so astronomically higher than I’m paying now.”

Ginny Gong is executive director of Community Use of Public Facilities, the county office in charge of renting out county space. She said it’s not fair to give the space to McCann for free when even struggling nonprofits have to pay for county-owned space.

“It’s all about treating every user fair,” she said. “We’re not here to question the value that her program brings to an area. If you look at any other program, we have wonderful community programs. We have trade shows who have expressed interest. We have a number of activities by nonprofits and for-profits that have expressed similar interests that I’m sure would bring people to the area as well.”

Gong said county officials are being reasonable by putting off the rental cost until next year’s market season. She said it’s impossible to negotiate on rental prices, because renters would keep pushing the boundaries.

But other county influencers are siding with McCann. The Silver Spring Citizens Advisory Board and County Councilmember Hans Riemer both sent letters to County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) asking him to support the market.

“The benefit to the whole downtown from having a consistent, quality program operating on Veterans Plaza — at no additional cost to the county — is significant,” Riemer wrote. “Fenton Street Market establishes an expectation from residents that when they visit downtown Silver Spring they will encounter vibrancy in our public spaces and meaningful, unique retail opportunities.”

In a letter to Leggett, Kathy Stevens, chair of the Silver Spring Citizens Advisory Board, agreed.

“This Fenton Street Market creates community and economic opportunities for local businesses,” Stevens wrote. “It also supports Silver Spring’s arts and entertainment designation. The presence of the Fenton Street Market brings arts, community and economic opportunities for many businesses it’s a win all around.”

jderbedrosian@gazette.net