[MR] What the Heck is going on?

[Robert Dawson, PA-C]

First it's Pillaged Villaged, then Master Iolo and New World Arbalest, now
it's Phil's Grill, the Mediterranean place (see below).  Does anyone know
what the heck is going on with the merchant autocrat?  I heard from three
other merchants that they felt their relations with her this year seemed
strained, and two said that they were concerned about speaking out about the
Pillaged Village incident, lest they be booted out of Pennsic, too.  One of
them opined that Cindy Cooper is trying to drive out many of the older
merchants and replace them with ones more to her personal liking.

Phil's Grill is IMO one of the best of the food vendors.  Many times they
are the only place open late, and their meals are reasonably priced with
generous portions.  It's a fun place to eat and I'm sorry to see them go.

I've never met her.  I have met Dave and Betty Cooper who seemed genuinely
happy to have us there, and to want us to have the best time possible, but
there seems to be a trend developing here that is disturbing in its
implications.  All of the reports seem to have the refrain that, "from her
comments this was premeditated and she was grabbing at anything to put us on
our way."

It's got me concerned, or maybe I'm just being an alarmist...

Does anyone know Cindy Cooper so we can get her view about what seems almost
a campaign to drive out longstanding, popular merchants?

regards,

McKenna the puzzled

********************
>From another list:

> Yesterday Cindy Cooper informed us that after 10 years we were not welcome
> back to the War. We offered to do anything, but she refused-noting reasons
> that to us do not seem reasonable--as every time there is a problem with
her
> prodigal, we correct the problem immediately. We know from her comments
that
> this was premeditated and she was grabbing at anything to put us on our
way.
> We have never fit into her mold as what she wants for food
concessioners--we
> are not local or relatives--we are nonconformists--and strange to say our
> religious beliefs have been brought up in the past.
> Our hearts are broken-as we do this work from our hearts-not our pockets.
We
> travel all over this country doing events that are sponsored by the SCA,
> whether they make money or not.
> We employ SCA members (anyone from a maid to a Baron) who walks in needing
> money for entrance, food, or just want to be part of someplace special.
> THIS is a large issue with her.
> Our food is geared for the SCA. She doesn't understand our food, or our
> methods of preparation. We do over 40 shows a year and have rave reviews
on
> our food and preparation methods-and have never heard a complaint of
> illness. She doesn't like to see our food prepared in font of the public.
> We are most sorry for our customers. Time after Time we are thanked for
> being at The War-staying open late--and providing quality food. We will
miss
> everyone terribly.
> We feel bad for our musicians, as we like to sponsor the arts, so we pay
and
> feed them. There really isn't any other vender that will be so generous.
> The only solace we have is that we are not alone. A lot of great merchants
> have been asked to leave because they do not fit her mold. We are friends
> with many and now personally feel their loss.
> Yes, we can find many other events to replace the time slot and money, but
> not the love we have felt for and from our customers, employees, musicians
> and friends.
> WE Thank you for your support throughout all the years. We will miss you
> all.
>
> Phil and Paula Schultz of the Grille