AKRON, Ohio – In October of 2022, Akron’s Northside Marketplace was bustling with dozens of artisans and vendors. Today, several of those vendors have pulled out of the marketplace, citing payment delays.
Testa Companies founded the marketplace in 2018 as a way to connect consumers with local businesses while creating a unique space to hang out. Justin Lepley purchased the marketplace from Testa Companies and took over its operations in October of 2022. Small business owners pay rent for marketplace space and 5% commission on business sales. A central checkout allows shoppers to pay for their purchases from multiple shops at one location. Sales proceeds are to be remitted to business owners for goods sold.
Brent Wesley of Akron Honey has had a space in the Northside Marketplace since 2018, he said. At its peak, the honey company saw annual sales of $20,000 just from its tiny store in the marketplace. But Wesley, who said he was owed $4,000 from marketplace product sales, pulled all of his products on Sunday, he told cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer…