ATLANTA — Contention is brewing over paid parking at Ponce City Market. Some tenants and customers think it hurts business and some owners say it hasn't hurt their bottom line.
W.H. Stiles Fish Camp Owner Anne Quatrano knows not every fellow Ponce City Market tenant is a fan of the paid parking.
"I can't say that we were all thrilled about it, but it certainly hasn't affected our business. We're busy all the time," Quatrano said.
Some first-time customers told Channel 2's Rikki Klaus the set up turns people away.
"I just dropped $50 on burgers for my family at the gourmet burger place, and having to put $3 for parking on top of that, well I think maybe more people would come in if they offered free parking," one customer said.
At nearby apartment complexes, we're told there's a ripple effect.
Visitors and potential residents are now competing for street parking, since the parking policy went into effect Oct. 1.
Ponce City Market employees have to fork over money to park too. Some park on the streets where it's free.
Quatrano says she spends about $50 a month on parking places for her five managers, and may invest in more.
WSBTV
