‘Not Enough’: Fresno vendor rejects River Park’s apology after Asian food ban

FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – After a week of pushback and online criticism, Fresno’s River Park rescinded its ban on Asian food vendors, but some within Fresno’s Asian community have questioned that statement’s sincerity.

In River Park’s most recent statement published on Friday, the shopping center’s property management, Fresno Street Eats and Cal Fresh apologized for “the hurt that others have genuinely expressed on social media, news outlets, and in our direct communications with those involved.”

However, the owner of Fresno-based Maarte Christine Rose, who had earlier in the week called for an apology from River Park, says the latest move is “not enough.”

In a statement published online, Rose said in part, “Not only was River Park’s statement (with Fresno Street Eats and California Fresh) not a sincere apology, there was no acknowledgement of the willingness to learn more about the cultures we represent and why this situation is more than just about access.”

Rose says after five years of partnering with River Park, she will be putting a pause on her partnership.

“I have yet to hear from them directly,” Rose said. “Until it feels right and sincere, my energy will be spent on developing ways to support my community on this matter.”