Larry Thomas
HIGH POINT – Showroom operators in the Hamilton-Wrenn district urged the High

Point Market Authority board Saturday to revert to an April and October market schedule, claiming the new March and September dates could have a significant, negative effect on their market traffic.

In an impassioned plea to board members, representatives of the group also said the new Monday-through-Sunday format hurts their traffic, because the designers who make up the bulk of their customers can’t get away from their businesses on weekdays to shop the market.

“We in the Hamilton-Wrenn district would beg you to go back to the original dates,” said Bill Cain, president the Hamilton-Wrenn Showroom Assn.

Cain, who also is president of decorative accessories resource Chelsea House, said the group is concerned that severe winter weather could disrupt a market in March, and excessive heat could put a damper on the fall market, which is scheduled to begin in late September or early October through 2015.

“What happens if a snowstorm hits New York in the middle of March and people can’t get their flights?” he asked.

Cain also said a late winter snow or ice storm in High Point would all but eliminate showroom traffic in Hamilton-Wrenn, noting that traffic now falls significantly on rainy days.

Cain and other Hamilton-Wrenn showroom operators urged the Market Authority to do a poll of buyers to see what dates they prefer.

“When you do polling, don’t poll the manufacturers. Do not poll anybody but the buyers,” said Nancy Garcia, vice president of Garcia Imports. “Whenever they say they want the market, we will support you 100%.”

Market Authority President Brian Casey told the group that the Authority does plan a market research project, and said it would include questions about preferred market dates.

The most recent market was the first in decades to use a Monday-through-Sunday format. Beginning next year, the market will begin in mid- to late March and late September or early October.

Next year’s dates are March 26-April 1 and Oct. 1-7.