Sidewalk To Success
In a huge move for local businesses, the city of Long Beach is offering free street carts to local vendors. The program, known as "Sidewalk to Success," is an attempt to help small business-people get their operation up and running without going broke.
The city of Long Beach, California is cruising into the second phase of their “Sidewalk to Success” program in order to provide incentives to local street vendors. This act is meant to help small businesses who comply with the city's regulations.
Street Vendors Are Going To Thrive
According to Cameron Kudie, who started the Cafablanca Coffee Cart smack dab in the middle of the pandemic, this effort is a move towards financial independence for small business owners. He said:
We've gone from prohibition of street vending to regulation of street vending, which is hugely important.
The Regulations Aren't Helpful For Every Vendor
The unfortunate part of the Sidewalk To Success program is that it's not one size fits all for vendors. Kudie explains:
Street vendors who have unique set-ups like us still have no pathway to permitting. We can't get a permit unless we purchase pre-approved NSF certified equipment that is on the city’s list... We might as well be a Starbucks.
Long Beach Is Still Figuring Out How To Make The Program A Success
Long Beach doesn't expect to start handing out carts tomorrow. City officials say that once the project goes live, business owners can apply for a cart at this link
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