Longtime merchant out of Reading Terminal Market

Basic 4 Vegetarian Cafe has ended its 31-year run at Reading Terminal Market. Founded by Alfoncie B. Austin and now run by her daughter Lisa Tynes, the business did not renew its lease when it expired Oct. 31.

But Basic 4 is still around as a caterer and is scouting for "pop-up" locations, according to a representative. Tynes is cooking at the Center for Culinary Enterprise in West Philly - whose rental kitchens are overseen by another market alumna, Delilah Winder.

As you might imagine, Basic 4's departure has set off a scramble of applicants eager to snap up its stand, in a primo spot just off the market's main seating area.