Times Square stand produces cheers and jeers in Times Square
After being granted a 30-day business license by the town of Fort Myers Beach, Ronn James has seen many happy faces since he opened his Fresh Pick Produce stand in Times Square Jan. 25.
“All my stuff is locally grown,” said James. “It seems like everyone has a smile on their face around fresh fruit and vegetables,”
But not everyone is smiling.
Long-time property and business owners in the busy, tourist epicenter of the beach are paying market value rent and taxes while James is paying minimal fees for his outdoor market.
Ask Times Square business owner Anita Cereceda about the matter and she’ll recite a part of Town Ordinance 96-14.
“It’s prohibited to have transient merchants on the beach,” said Cereceda, owner of Local Color. “(The Town Council) put together an ordinance that principally stated ‘that the public realm belongs to the public. It is not for sale.'”
And, she should know.
Cereceda was town mayor when Fort Myers Beach was incorporated in late December 1995 and the laws were established.
“It’s nothing personal, it’s the principle of it,” said Cereceda. “I’m paying property taxes, sales taxes, for garbage removal and substantial market value rent.”
Then there’s Brad Benson, property owner of several buildings in the square including Wahoo Willies, Beach Bizarre and Local Color.
“The main problem is not produce,” said Benson, landlord and friend of Cereceda for many years. “(Ronn James) pays only $10 a day for rent. That’s a joke. You have a lot of retail stores paying a lot of money in that area.”
Benson mentioned that business owners in Time Square should be on an even playing field.
“Anita should be allowed to put her paintings outside,” said Benson. “If you’re allowed to put tables and chairs or fruits and vegetables in the square, then why not art or retail items?”
Town manager Scott Janke thinks the produce stand will help lure people to the established businesses in Times Square.
“At these times of economic hardship, we’re just trying to attract more people to Times Square and thus help other merchants as well,” he said. “Ronn was granted a temporary permit to test the waters and see how things operated. After the 30 days, he will have to vacate. For permanent use, he will have to go through the town council.”
Janke also said he is conducting a survey with other businesses at the square to check the response.
Could it be a trend for the future?
“We’re just trying to attract more patronage to the area,” he said.
And while the debate goes on, James is pleasing beach customers who lack a daily source of fruits and vegetables since Mango Street Market closed last year.
“So far, the response has been wonderful,” said James, who lists tomatoes, sweet corn, zucchini, cucumber, sweet potatoes, squash and onions as some of his top items. “I support all our local businesses. Anything that brings people to Times Square is a good thing.”
But, according to Cereceda, the produce stand when closed is not good for the aesthetics of the area.
“You should see it right now,” said Cereceda. “When it’s not open, there are a bunch of tables covered over with blue tarp tied down by bungee cords. It looks like a closed flea market. For those of us that have thousands and thousands and thousands of dollars of overhead, it’s an insult.”
Cereceda doesn’t fault James though.
“He did it with good intention,” she said. “He wants to bring people to Times Square. But he doesn’t pay taxes in Time Square. Where do you draw the line?”
James, who used to own a large produce stand called Pine Ridge Produce on Pine Ridge road, might have to move his beach stand by the end of the month.
But, he is still receiving plenty of support from customers.
“I have an endorsement letter with over 500 signatures on it,” James said. “I’m averaging $300 to $400 a day in gross sales.”