San Antonio farmers market closing in wake of racist public dispute

Organizers of the Yard Farmes Market, Heather Hunter and F. David Lent, will be stepping down. Organizers of the Yard Farmes Market, Heather Hunter and F. David Lent, will be stepping down. Photo: Express-News File Photo Photo: Express-News File Photo Image 1 of / 32 Caption Close San Antonio farmers market closing in wake of racist public dispute 1 / 32 Back to Gallery

SAN ANTONIO — Racial and ethnic epithets and threats of physical violence hurled during a public confrontation will lead to the permanent closing of the popular Yard Farmers and Ranchers Market.

Eyewitness say that during a telephone confrontation Sunday afternoon, market owner F. David Lent called vendor Ming Qian "a (expletive) gook," and her husband, Hinnerk von Bargen, a citizen of Germany, a "(expletive) ball-less German Nazi." The couple own Ming's Thing, which sells Asian street fare.

Lent catagorically denies using racist language, conceding only that he had a "heated argument" with the couple.

In the wake of the incident, at least three vendors have publicly announced they are pulling out from the market, the property manager at The Yard said she plans to terminate the center's contract with the Lent and Hunter and the couple have announced they'll be closing the market permanently after the 90-day notice required in his contract.

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rmarini@express-news.net

Twiter: @RichardMarini