Sidewalk Vendors Ban In Downtown Nashville Has Devastating Effect On Small Businesses

Image Credit: Domenico Covertini / CC

The Tennessee Conservative [By Paula Gomes] –

In a video on Instagram, Kourtney Roseman, one member of a small family business recently banned from Broadway in Nashville, explains that the city’s decision to outlaw street vending has put an end to their full time income. Kourtney and her sister Kyrsten are a musical duo who, along with their parents, sell jewelry made from guitar strings to pay their bills. On the group’s instagram account, they document that they went from working 5 to 7 jobs at a time until street vending “changed our lives overnight.”

The family business sold their handcrafted jewelry on 5th and Broadway but had to stop as of yesterday, July 21st.

In the video, Kourtney says, “This has provided an income for my family and my father to work for over 13 years. And he’s a survivor of OCD bipolar disorder and he’s been wildly discriminated against his entire career working for other people that when we decided to work for ourselves this company actually saved his life.”

Mayor John Cooper supported the ban being put in place, having previously written a letter to the Metro Traffic and Parking Commission in which he called street vendors a “blight for pedestrians.” He also addressed commissioners at a meeting where he asked for a complete prohibition on vendors between Union Street and Korean Veterans Boulevard, and the area spanning from the Cumberland River to 8th Avenue.

“I have heard repeated complaints about the disruptive effect that vendors have on their businesses,” Cooper wrote. “Our public safety professionals have warned about the safety risks posed by multiple propane tanks, generators, and the selling of intoxicants. Residents and visitors alike have decried the sale of items that are less than family friendly.”

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While some vendors operated without a license, vendors like the Roseman family had a permit and an attractive display. The Metro commission is expected to eventually allow some vendors back to the area and will look at the issue again at their next meeting in August.

Greenhouse Tennessee owner John Newman is a sidewalk vendor who said he felt blindsided by the new rules that just came out within the past week.

He said small business owners won’t give up without a fight.

“You know the sweat equity and the hard work we’ve put in this as a small business; we feel attacked. We’ve been trying to employ as many people as we can, to help our small business and jobs and bring a positive impact to the economy here downtown. This is a direct hit,” Newman said.

Some of the tourists have shared that they would like to see the vendors stick around because they’re convenient and affordable.

About the Author: Paula Gomes is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative. You can reach Paula at paula@tennesseeconservativenews.com.