Sidewalk vendors would keep funky city fun
The Traveler Editorial Board
Issue date: 10/8/08 Section: Opinion
Fayetteville's no tiny town, but its residents may find out a little more about big-city living if the City Council approves an ordinance proposing downtown sidewalk vendors.
These sidewalk vendors would be very much like the New York City pushcarts seen in movies, where everything from T-shirts to trinkets are offered up and down busy streets and where men and women grab coffees, newspapers and donuts while hurriedly heading to work in their starched suits.
Perhaps that scene is a little overkill for Fayetteville, where the population is more than 8 million less than that of NYC. But if this ordinance were authorized in Fayetteville, vendors would be limited to selling food, drinks and cut flowers outside of the Walton Arts Center and within the downtown square, which appears to be a pretty nice compromise.
The idea of city sidewalk vendors has been criticized because it could cause crowdedness, but more often than not, citizens simply are worried that vendors would reduce business for various Dickson Street restaurants and shops.
But established businesses will not be wiped out by new, small vendors selling snacks and flowers; if anything, the novelty of the vendors might attract new visitors to the downtown Fayetteville area.
We understand a few hesitations, but give sidewalk vendors a try. If nothing else, the addition of vendors will be just another opportunity to "keep Fayetteville funky."
These sidewalk vendors would be very much like the New York City pushcarts seen in movies, where everything from T-shirts to trinkets are offered up and down busy streets and where men and women grab coffees, newspapers and donuts while hurriedly heading to work in their starched suits.
Perhaps that scene is a little overkill for Fayetteville, where the population is more than 8 million less than that of NYC. But if this ordinance were authorized in Fayetteville, vendors would be limited to selling food, drinks and cut flowers outside of the Walton Arts Center and within the downtown square, which appears to be a pretty nice compromise.
The idea of city sidewalk vendors has been criticized because it could cause crowdedness, but more often than not, citizens simply are worried that vendors would reduce business for various Dickson Street restaurants and shops.
But established businesses will not be wiped out by new, small vendors selling snacks and flowers; if anything, the novelty of the vendors might attract new visitors to the downtown Fayetteville area.
We understand a few hesitations, but give sidewalk vendors a try. If nothing else, the addition of vendors will be just another opportunity to "keep Fayetteville funky."
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