The Crafts on Columbus street fair, a long-standing and cherished neighborhood event, is slated to shut down for good in just two weeks. But there is a chance it may still be saved if enough citizens, neighbors and patrons rally to its defense.

Since 1980, Crafts on Columbus has played a unique role in the long-term resurgence of the Upper West Side, and it continues to embody and express the best in our neighborhood's unique community and culture. 

For customers, Crafts on Columbus is a highly anticipated opportunity to get unique and beautiful gifts and collectibles direct from the people who make them, in a friendly, low-pressure setting offering an exceptional range of first-rate, hand-made jewelry, ceramics, clothing, children's toys, blown glass, and other crafts and art. 

For the exhibitors, mostly local and regional craftspeople and artists, the show is a precious opportunity to share and sell their work during a half-dozen weekends in the spring and fall. Many depend on this and a dwindling number of such venues for much of their livelihood.

Recently, a handful of opponents, apparently well-organized and well-connected, have successfully lobbied to withdraw the city permit for Crafts on Columbus. They have falsely portrayed it before the local community board as a noisy, disruptive and “over-commercialized” intrusion into “their” neighborhood.

None of that is true. The reality is, since Crafts on Columbus was bravely launched in the economic hard times of 1980, it has been all about bringing together creative, individual artisans and the thousands of visitors and customers who look forward to seeing them there each year.  

Please join me in petitioning to preserve and extend the continued success of this fine and cherished institution. Without your intervention, the current Crafts on Columbus show will be the last.