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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News AP Entertainment Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Readers' Choice Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Holiday Guide Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend September 25, 2006 Future of A Street Market Place uncertain By Alan Panebaker for the Mail Tribune ASHLAND — For weeks, rumors have floated about the quiet A Street Market Place. The building is for sale, and tenants are awaiting a verdict telling them to move out or stay. Tenants have varying amounts of time left on their leases, and several owners are wondering what lies ahead. "No one has contacted us about anything," said Peter Alzado, artistic director for Oregon Stage Works. The theater company operates in the south end of the building. Like other business owners, Alzado said he has heard the rumors that Plexis Healthcare Systems, a rapidly growing health care software maker, is buying the site for office space. One of its owners, Allan Sandler, approached Alzado about the possibility of a sale. "Allan has spoken to us about a few things but nothing to hang our hat on," Alzado said. Advertisement The building's owners did not return phone calls to discuss the sale. Jorge Yant, founder of Plexis Healthcare Systems, said he signed a contract that would not allow him to discuss the transaction. "My hands are tied," Yant said. For now, the building hums with whispers of what will happen in the coming weeks. Alzado said Oregon Stage Works' nook in the marketplace works well for the organization, and moving would be a huge process for the theater company. "It's a great place. We like it here very much," Alzado said. "It takes a tremendous amount of effort to establish a location." Oregon Stage Works has 13 years remaining on its 15-year lease. John Brenes owns the Music Coop next door to Oregon Stage Works. He and his wife Trina were the first business to move into the building after it was bought as a retail space by Ed Bemis, Sandler and Sandra Sawyer. After nearly five years in the building, Brenes wants to stay. He has more than 10 years left on his lease. For Brenes, the marketplace never turned into the mix of retail and restaurants it was supposed to. He admits he is frustrated. "Personally, what I'm the most disappointed in the fact that the current owners never accepted responsibility for how this building turned out," Brenes said. Brandon Kirkland, co-owner of the Enchanted Florist flower shop, said he doesn't expect to get the boot any time soon, but he has a contingency plan. "First I want to meet with the new owner," Kirkland said. "Then I want to see if they want to use the whole space or just a part of it." Despite the rumors, business goes on — although slowly — at the A Street Market Place. Some business owners think the marketplace idea may have been ahead of its time. Most said a lack of cohesion between businesses in the building affected sales. "Yeah, we did well," Brenes said. "But how much better could we have done if there were other businesses like us bringing in 150 people each day?" For now, they wait. Alan Panebaker is a reporter for the Ashland Daily Tidings. Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2007 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Men's Clothing Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Discount Hotel Reservations Send Flowers Casinos Canada Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Windermere Van Vleet Trunks, Footlocker Online poker at AbsolutePoker.com