Akron Vendors Demand Payment as Northside Marketplace Faces Cash Flow Crisis
AKRON, Ohio — Local vendors at Akron’s Northside Marketplace are speaking out after months of unpaid sales, with some pulling their products in protest. The issue has sparked frustration among small business owners who say they’ve been left in the dark about when—or if—they’ll receive their earnings.
Unpaid for Months, Vendors Take a Stand
Brent Wesley, owner of Akron Honey and known as “Wesley the Keeper,” made headlines this week after posting a video to Facebook showing him removing his products from the marketplace shelves. His reason? He says he’s owed more than $22,000 in unpaid sales dating back to last year.
“We had to pull our products because we just aren’t getting paid,” Wesley told reporters. “It’s frustrating when you’ve supported a place for so long, only to be ignored when it’s time to settle up.”
Wesley isn’t alone. After his video went viral, other vendors came forward with similar complaints. Samantha Basille, owner of coffee brand Sappho and Her Beans, left the marketplace last month after months of inconsistent payments.
“At one point, they admitted they hadn’t paid me in a long time and then dumped a lump sum,” Basille said. “But that’s not sustainable for small businesses. We need reliable cash flow to keep operating.”
Marketplace Admits Cash Flow Problems
Northside Marketplace, a business incubator that opened in 2017, operates on a model where customers check out at a central register, and vendors are later paid for their sales. But multiple sellers say payments have been delayed for months—or never arrived at all.
Justin Lepley, director of Northside Marketplace and head of Lepley Holdings, which owns the space, acknowledged the delays in a written statement. He cited “ongoing cash flow challenges” and said the company is working to stabilize finances.
“I fully recognize that any delay in payment places a meaningful and undue burden on the artists, makers, and small businesses we serve,” Lepley wrote. He added that he’s in talks with the City of Akron and local foundations for financial support.
The city confirmed discussions with Lepley but offered no details on potential aid. “Northside Marketplace is an important part of our downtown corridor,” a city spokesperson said.
Vendors Weigh Their Future
Since Wesley’s video, he says he’s received about half of what he’s owed. But he and other vendors argue they shouldn’t have to publicly shame the marketplace to get paid.
“What will make me feel good about returning is knowing there are systems in place to ensure we get our money,” Wesley said.
For now, Akron Honey products remain off the shelves at Northside, though they’re still available at other Northeast Ohio retailers. Other vendors, like Basille, have already moved on.
“It breaks my heart,” Basille said. “This place was supposed to help small businesses grow, not leave them struggling to survive.”
As the marketplace scrambles for solutions, vendors are left wondering if their trust—and their products—will ever return.
— Reported by Nexio News
