Street Vendor Ordinance Hopes to Boost Business for Downtown Rockford
By: Vi Nguyen
Updated: September 25, 2012
September 25, 2012 (ROCKFORD) -- Opened 2-years ago, Wired cafe is just one of the many attractions competiting for business in downtown Rockford.
"There's a lot of retail out here that people aren't aware of and so if you can get it outside and on the sidewalk make it more visible with walking driving any of that," said Cathy Douglas.
City alderman Frank Beach believes a new city ordinance could possibly help to boost foot traffic for owners like Cathy Douglas.
"I think the excitement of the city market and all the things that are happening down there-- a lot of the merchants... they want or maybe we ought to figure out how we can sell our products outside of our businesses," said Beach.
The 2012 Merchant Vending Guidelines would allow current business owners to apply for a permit granting them the right to set up shop on public sidewalks in front of their store, which will allow them to sell their products and goods.
"As a business owner do you think this is a good idea? Oh yeah... I think it's a great idea even if I don't take advantage of it. Just the fact of getting visible outside getting more people you know coming downtown," said Douglas.
Customers at Wired Cafe are already given the option to dine outside. Douglas believes this ordinance provides another option for owners to promote their business.
"We don't have enough of a sidewalk to do. We might it during special events-- during city market or parade. We might sell stuff out there," she said.
And selling products out there is an advantage Ald. Beach hopes business owners will try to do before winter.
"This year were kinda coming towards the end of our summer season. It's going to be cooler weather. I imagine some of that can happen between now and the end of the year, but by the time snow falls we can be indoors again," said Beach.
"There's a lot of retail out here that people aren't aware of and so if you can get it outside and on the sidewalk make it more visible with walking driving any of that," said Cathy Douglas.
City alderman Frank Beach believes a new city ordinance could possibly help to boost foot traffic for owners like Cathy Douglas.
"I think the excitement of the city market and all the things that are happening down there-- a lot of the merchants... they want or maybe we ought to figure out how we can sell our products outside of our businesses," said Beach.
The 2012 Merchant Vending Guidelines would allow current business owners to apply for a permit granting them the right to set up shop on public sidewalks in front of their store, which will allow them to sell their products and goods.
"As a business owner do you think this is a good idea? Oh yeah... I think it's a great idea even if I don't take advantage of it. Just the fact of getting visible outside getting more people you know coming downtown," said Douglas.
Customers at Wired Cafe are already given the option to dine outside. Douglas believes this ordinance provides another option for owners to promote their business.
"We don't have enough of a sidewalk to do. We might it during special events-- during city market or parade. We might sell stuff out there," she said.
And selling products out there is an advantage Ald. Beach hopes business owners will try to do before winter.
"This year were kinda coming towards the end of our summer season. It's going to be cooler weather. I imagine some of that can happen between now and the end of the year, but by the time snow falls we can be indoors again," said Beach.
