Vending on NYC Streets

From Smaku's flickr

People who have been reading this blog know that I'm a huge fan of street vendors. They make living in New York and trawling its various neighborhoods all that more enjoyable and affordable.

This week the Street Vendor Project hosted by the Urban Justice Center released a report (pdf) two and a half years in the making on the conditions faced by street vendors. The study focuses on downtown Manhattan south of Canal Street. Among its many findings, it turns out that 96% of street vendors pay taxes and 88% of them support a family with the work, despite the stigma of street vendors as cagey immigrants dodging the IRS to make a quick buck.

It's amazing to me that street vendors are not perceived positively as the low cost, first step that a small business entrepreneur can take. They are instead perceived and treated as a nuisance in the city. In addition to all the policy steps that the Street Vendor Project advocates to protect the street vendor community in New York, changes such as decreasing fine fees and making more public space available, it seems to make sense to create a program within the Small Business Services to oversee and assist entrepreneurs, instead of leaving street vending subject to the whims of multiple agencies. If the SMS can work on improving the aesthetics of storefronts, then why not this? This program can also provide language assistance and other support to make sure that vendors follow regulations. Contrary to popular belief, street vending complement retail stores, and when done well, can generate more income with than without.

This is also a good time to remind everyone that the Vendy Awards are coming up, Oct 22 at 6PM. Tickets are $50, but include food and drink. Hope to see you there!

Update: Sean Basinski from the Street Vendors Project provided a link to a short documentary about how street vendors are treated in New York City. Thanks Sean!

And, I should thank Nick for telling me about this in the first place!