Behind the colorful booths, lively music and tantalizing smells of local Mexican foods at the San Jose Flea Market are tears and heartache.
In the interim, changes in operations and enforcement have made it harder for vendors to do business as usual. Some vendors have left, and others are thinking about leaving. "There are no more customers," Tamyo said, pointing to the parking and entry price hike as the biggest reason for a drop in patrons. In early March, parking fees increased on Friday-Sunday to as much as $20. "Many people have shrunk their booths in half too." Vendor Angel Lin cried as she explained how she spent her life savings trying to make her storefront profitable since opening five years ago. Lin said she was finally able to turn a profit in the last two years.
"One was selling counterfeit goods, which is illegal," said Erik Schoennauer, a land-use consultant who represents the Bumb family. However, Jesus Flores, president and CEO of the Latino Business Foundation Silicon Valley believes the number of expelled vendors is much higher. "They have been more strict than ever," Flores told San Jose Spotlight. "Vendors are telling us there is more security now walking the aisles and making sure that no one breaks the rules.
Flores said at least half the vendors are thinking about leaving because of worsening conditions. In the past few weeks, Flores said he tried to conduct a study, but couldn't because his access to vendors was restricted. Vendors are also not allowed to talk to each other and organize within the market, and some leaders from the Berryessa Flea Market Vendors Association were also expelled, he said.