Vendors Want To Be Closer

District street vendors gathered this morning in front of the offices of the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs to bring attention to plans for inaugural vending.

Though the vendors' pressure on the agency has resulted in local peddlers getting first preference for about 700 downtown vending spots on Jan. 20, they say they want to be a little closer to the action. Ted Walker, of DC Vendors United, said they would like to be placed at Metro stops.

"We are no where near where the activities are taking place," said Mary Kangethe, who sells her wares at 11th and F streets NW.

The spots will be distributed through a lottery though 1,000 other sites are available outside the downtown vending zone. They will be located at places where large groups are expected to gather, such as Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium.

But vendors say they have not been given enough details about those spots so that they can make a decision. They said they are concerned about out-of-town vendors as well. "You're going to pay $800 and you don't know where you're going to work," said Walker.

Tomorrow is the deadline to apply for a special inaugural vending license.

By Nikita R Stewart  |  December 29, 2008; 9:41 AM ET  | Category:  Vending
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