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City Market vendors tell council they have lost long-standing parking after port sale

Charleston City Council · April 14, 2026

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Summary

Multiple longtime vendors at the Charleston City Market told council they have been "blindsided" and displaced from decades-old parking arrangements after the port property was sold to the Bemoc Group; vendors asked for temporary vouchers and permanent parking commitments while developers proceed.

Courtney Christmas, speaking for City Market vendors on April 14, told the council that parking long provided by the port is no longer available after the port property sale to the Bemoc Group. "As of April 1, we have no parking," she said, recounting that some vendors who had called on March 30 were unable to receive April passes and that the loss disrupts daily loading and unloading operations for more than 300 vendors.

Longtime vendor Joyce Wagner (45 years) and Sandy Cramley (self-identified) described the same problem and urged the council to provide a permanent solution or temporary vouchers so vendors can continue to operate. Wagner said she had paid for April and had a voucher but was told there would be no more parking after that month and that communication from agencies had been poor.

Vendors asked the council to consider opening or reserving near-by lots (including the B lot at Concord and Market Street) or providing additional garage spaces that accommodate box trucks and frequent loading. Vendors emphasized the economic role they play for downtown tourism and daily commerce.

The clerk also summarised related written comments from residents asking for commitments that developer buyout funds be used on Johns Island and urging council adjustments to Pulte's buyout amounts.

Next steps: Council did not adopt an immediate parking ordinance or funding decision at the April 14 meeting; vendors were advised staff would follow up. The matter remains an outstanding request from market vendors to city staff and port/port-adjacent property managers.