VENDOR BOOTHS IN FRONT OF STORE FRONTS: CITY EVENTS

Recommendation

It is recommended by staff that Council:

Approve the policy as listed in the analysis below to be used for events that include vendor booths located in commercial areas.

Background

At the March 25, 1997 meeting, Council Member Benz presented a memo to the Council, requesting that this issue be placed on a future agenda for consideration.

Staff has identified City events that have historically placed vendor booths in front of stores:

1. Hermosa Beach Fiesta de las Artes
2. Saint Patrick's Day Parade

Vendor booths associated with beach volleyball events and City special events have traditionally been located on the Pier Avenue median in order to allow space for local merchants to sell products and create outdoor dining areas at their storefront.

The Chamber of Commerce has a five (5) year agreement with the City for the Fiesta de las Artes.

Analysis

Due to the size and duration of the Saint Patrick's Day Parade, it would be possible to expand the staging of that event to include booths on the lower Pier Avenue median once the street is opened. The use of 11th Street was designed as a one year solution to the loss of space on lower Pier Avenue.

This leaves the Fiesta De Las Artes as the event that would be effected adversely from a policy that would eliminate the use of storefront areas for their event. The Chamber of Commerce estimates that of the 70 businesses located within the site boundaries of the Fiesta, 75% participated in the 1996 Fiesta by using vendor space in front of their store. They also indicated that some businesses elect not to participate because they are closed during daytime hours (e.g., Il Boccacio and Sushi Sei) and/or they provide services (e.g., medical and real estate offices) and not products.

The policy below would ensure that the Chamber and other event producers will continue to afford first priority to our merchants with regards to the placement of vendor booths during events.

Policy for Special Event Vendor Booths

1. Vendor booths will be permitted on downtown streets for special events subject to City Council approval.

1. Local merchants shall be given first right to reserve vendor booth space in front of their own store subject to meeting the requirements of each special event. For commercial events, no fee shall be levied on a business for participating as a street vendor in front of their store.

1. Vendor booths on lower Pier Avenue (west of Hermosa Avenue) shall be restricted to the median area, leaving the sidewalks available for outdoor dining and other approved uses by store owners.

1. Exceptions to this policy must be approved by the City Council.

Clearly, at the heart of many of these events, is a desire on the part of the City to maximize the benefits for our local merchants. Many merchants call the City in anticipation of special events in order to stock their stores, restaurants and taverns to be able to handle the additional business they receive.

Having the first option for the use of these vendor spaces may encourage local merchants to participate in special events, contributing to their success and compatibility with the downtown businesses.

Fiscal Impact: None