Seattle Sun Newspaper - Vol. 6, Issue 12, December 2002

Copyright 2002 Seattle Sun. Please feel free to use the article and photos below in your research. Be sure to quote the Seattle Sun as your source.

Supporters rally to 'save'
Fremont Sunday Market

By SUSAN PARK

The owners of Sound Mind and Body Gym have sued the organizers of the Fremont Sunday Market, accusing the market of creating a nuisance, which the gym says has resulted in a loss of business.

Sound Mind and Body is also suing the City for allowing the market to be held along N. 34th Street, in front of the gym.

The lawsuit is seeking monetary damages equal to the amount of business the gym says it has lost since April 28, when the market began operating on the street, as well as attorney fees. The suit also calls for the Fremont Sunday Market to be barred from operating any closer than 2,000 yards from the gym.

This is the first year that the market, which is held Sundays, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., has been held in the street.

"As a result of these nuisances, plaintiff Sound Mind and Body Inc. has suffered a loss of revenues due to congestion in the area, a lack of parking in the area and interference with customer use of North 34th Street," the lawsuit states.

The lawsuit says the decision to grant the market permission to operate in the street without requiring it to provide off-street parking for its customers (as the gym has been required to do) "was an irrational, malicious and arbitrary act by the City."

On Oct. 30, 70 people held a demonstration in front of the gym to show their support for the market. Several protesters dressed in costumes and waved signs. One walked around on stilts.

Jeanne Muir, one of the rally's organizers, said the market supports more than 300 small vendors and brings shoppers to the area, which benefits Fremont businesses.

"The goal of the demonstration was to ask Sound Mind and Body members to support the market," said Muir. "I think the gym is a wonderful Fremont business, but it needs to play fair with other important Fremont businesses," including the market.

A petition urging the gym to drop its lawsuit has gathered 161 signatures as of the Seattle Sun's press time, according to Muir.

* * *

Market supporters are planning to hold another demonstration on Saturday, Nov. 23, from 9 a.m. to noon. For details, visit the Web site ilovefremont.com.