Byrd responds to Market suit

Many Columbia Falls community members know of the disagreement between the Columbia Falls Community Market and my businesses. I have nothing but love for our town, and for our Market, so I am issuing this statement to set the record straight.

My family and I founded the Market and love what it has brought to Columbia Falls. Our businesses have provided space to the Market from its beginning. We intended to continue leasing space to the Market for the foreseeable future, but are very unexpectedly and regretfully unable to do so.

We would like you to know that the Columbia Falls Community Market’s leadership was aware a week ago that the Market could not happen tonight. After months of heartfelt negotiation, we unhappily, but formally, canceled the Market’s lease last Thursday – seven days ago. There was no reason for the last minute drama that occurred today.

I discovered yesterday that the Market has sued me personally and my businesses. The Market never had the exclusive right to use the Coop on market nights. Market leadership also refused to work with the vendor in the Coop who operates the liquor license. Besides failing to timely make rent payments required by the lease, Market leadership took actions that, if allowed to continue, would violate and potentially compromise the liquor licenses operating at our place of business. Some of the statements made by Market leadership on social media were also inaccurate or incomplete, and, I believe, were intended to damage me and my businesses.

Due to the ongoing litigation, there is nothing more to say except that this situation could have and should have been different, and I am deeply disappointed with the way it has unfolded. I appreciate your continued support of the Market’s vendors and sponsors. We hope that the Columbia Falls Market finds a new home soon and look forward to supporting it in a new location.

O'Brien Byrd