Broad Street Market board president Jonathan Bowser optimistic about market's future

"When people talk about the market being like the good old days, I think we can get back to those days." - Jonathan Bowser

Jonathan Bowser welcomes talking about pest control.

Even if the topic makes regular shoppers and vendors at the Broad Street Market in Harrisburg uneasy.

"I live by the motto when you have a crisis, it creates a great opportunity to tell your story. I think we have a great story to tell," said Bowser, who in February stepped into the role of president of the Broad Street Market Corporation.

Bowser of Susquehanna Twp. offers a glimmer of hope for the historic market, which for years has suffered from mismanagement and debt. Vendors have come and gone. So have market managers and board members.

Worse yet, the market was shut down, not once but twice in the past three years for pest control issues, creating a public relations nightmare for the vendors who say business still has not completely recovered.

And no one is in disagreement that stone and brick buildings that comprise the market require updates. To say the least, it is rough around the edges. Window screens are ripped and walls in need of a fresh coat of paint.

According to Bowser, things are about to turn around, thanks a revamped board, acquisition of grant money and addition of new vendors.

"I just see it being vibrant again. When people talk about the market being like the good old days, I think we can get back to those days," he said.

Vendors like Tito Tep of Tep's Fresh Seafood say they are happy to have Bowser on the board.

"I'm really impressed, really impressed. He doesn't pull any punches," Tep said. "He's got his hands in everything which I like."

"No animosity, just trying to get people on the right track," said Nadine Graham, owner of Porter's House Jamaican Cuisine.

This spring, six new members arrived on the Broad Street Market Corp.'s board, all strategically picked for their areas of expertise, Bowser said. New board members include an engineer, attorney and two marketing/public relations people.

Bowser said his background in economic development - he is director of Cumberland County Economic Development and corporate vice president of Cumberland Area Economic Development Corporation - will allow him to research more avenues to acquire grant money for renovations and repairs to the market.

In fact, the city of Harrisburg recently approved $47,000 in federal Community Block Development grants for the market. The money, along with $200,000 from several other previous grants, is being used to install new doors, clean the market's internal systems and install a cooling component. The market is not air conditioned.

The Central Market in York recently underwent renovations using grant money. There ?is federal and state money the Broad Street Market could tap into but first the right structure has to be in place and that means having a well-defined plan for the market, Bowser said. It is something the board has tapped into as a top priority, he added.

In the meantime, the board also is looking to split from the non-profit Historic Harrisburg Association which has overseen the board since the mid 1990s under former Mayor Stephen Reed's administration. HHA works with the city to manage and maintain the market.

"To tell you the truth, it's going to be a very simple process. They have been a very great partner for many many years ... but to tell you the truth they have been out of the day-to -day operations of the Broad Street Market," Bowser said.

David Morrison, immediate past president of HHA, said he agrees it's time to severe the relationship.

"It got to the point we became an extra layer. We were the parents the adult no longer needed. We realized either we need to resume active oversight and really get involved or we need to spin it off," Morrison said.

Then there is the issue of vendors. Some say the market looks empty, something Bowser disputes.

Harvest recently opened in the brick building with organic produce and products ranging from sweet corn and bell peppers to jars of pickles and jams. The Cornerstone Eatery, focused on healthy wraps and southern style cooking will open soon in the stone building.

"The way I see it right now we have about three to four available spots, and I think when you compare that to some of the local malls or some of the other local strip centers you'll spot more vacancies," Bowser said.

He said people look at the market as a viable food source. It's also located at a key address near other areas of growth in midtown that include the new federal courthouse, Harrisburg Area Community College and residential housing.

"I really see the Broad Street Market being kind of that co-anchor of what is happening in midtown," Bowser said.

Source: http://www.pennlive.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2013/08/broad_street_market_board_pres.html

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