Closing during the DNC

There are some pretty strong rumors going around that all street vendors will not be issued permits during the Democratic National Convention in Denver this August. It is supposedly a secret service mandate. This could be a major issue for 2 reasons; 1)August is a pretty good month for business. 2) The DNC will bring an extra 50 or so thousand hungry people downtown.
Has anyone been in a city during a DNC or any large convention, and seen this sort of thing before?
It would probably be a good idea to start a grass roots movement now to avoid this...any ideas as to what we should do?

Yep I have Jim, the last DNC here in Boston. It was a big dissapointment to most of the area businesses. But on the other hand a lot of business was done with the advance crews that come into town. Try to make the best of it early because there are so many free luncheons and dinners avalible to the delegates once in town they don't have to spend anything.
Advance crews come in about 6 weeks in advance at least in Boston they did.
Stage hands, electricians, telephone workers, I could go on and on.
You should do alright if your close to the action. Chow Jim

Hey Jim,

While not a political event, a few years ago while driving limo, I had some clients go "Downtown" to the Superbowl (Detroit Ford Field). I witnessed firsthand a weird phenomena. I dropped my customers off and parked in a special "limo lot" ($150 ) I had the whole game time to walk around, and I ended up at a little coney Island (Zeffs) about 1/4 mile from Ford field. The place was empty (cept for me and a few drivers) Chatted up the owner who said business was terrible that whole week because of all the media reports about how "crazy" downtown was going to be. The reports really became more frequent in the week leading up to the superbowl. It was not crazy at all..kind of barren really, and there were alot of sad faces on people who rented temporary store fronts to make a quick $$. Hope this doesn't happen in Denver, and I hope you don't get into a p*ss*ng match with the Secret Service either, maybe You can offer a "Obama Mama" sausage or a "Hillary Hot Link" get some satellite time on the networks !

quote:

Originally posted by biker jim
There are some pretty strong rumors going around that all street vendors will not be issued permits during the Democratic National Convention in Denver this August. It is supposedly a secret service mandate. This could be a major issue for 2 reasons; 1)August is a pretty good month for business. 2) The DNC will bring an extra 50 or so thousand hungry people downtown. Has anyone been in a city during a DNC or any large convention, and seen this sort of thing before?

I was vending in downtown Springfield years ago when president (I think it was Nixon but not sure)came to town and spoke on the square about 80 feet from my cart. They SS came early by a week and notified everyone they would not be allowed to vend on that day. Then they took me aside and told me I could vend and I would be the only food source for the event. Boy we made some great money that day.
Jack

Obama mama! Hillary Hot link! That is hilarious. Thanks guys...this should be interesting.

Hillary Hot Link--lol the joke potential is huge- no pun.

Getting back on the topic here... When we had the Gerald R. Ford Funeral here a little over a year ago, I recall seeing nothing... Middle of the night, and at the time they where stating an 18 hour wait due to the length of the line to pass the presidents casket. Huge event to say the least, but you would have thought atleast 1 or a dozen coffee carts, or snack carts to surround the area. Not a thing in sight. Not sure if it was due to the secret service, or what.. Either way, there was alot of folk ready for a hot cup of java and maybe a donut at the time... (And Michigan in January is not the warmest place on the planet, not to mention the wind chills)...

Hmmm...originally I was told that it was the Secret Service that was possibly going to be keeping vendor's permits from being issued. Then Eddy B pointed out this article. As I am located on Skyline Park it looks like I have something I need to bring up with the permitting office this morning.
Check it out. http://www.9news.com/news/politics_govt/national/dnc/article.aspx?storyid=87478

Well good luck with that. As I stated here earlyer it was pretty much a bust here in Boston for local business. Your best chance is to target the set up and breakdown crews. Chow Jim

I'm just hoping to keep my regular spot on Skyline Park going. Convention or not August is a good month to be a hot dog guy. I talked with the Dept of Cultural Affairs and have submitted an application. We'll see. They did tell me it was up to the Secret Service (again) but not sure what to believe.

Biker Jim

303-850-2700 is the phone number for the local office (Denver) of the Secret Service. You may call them and get it straight from the horse's mouth.

Hope this helps

Wow, thanks Cajun. I'll do that...I might wait until I hear back from the Dept of Cultural affairs on my application. I should know what they have to say by next week. Thanks again.

BikerJim

Have you heard from D of CA????

No...as a matter of fact I have not. I have left my card on the desk of the guy in charge of permitting on Parks for the DNC. No response. This was last Friday. I haven't heard back from the Dept of Cultural affairs either. I do know that I was the first person to apply for a special events permit...for my usual normal spot. Thanks for reminding me...I will bug them some more.