Concerned that interlopers will undercut sales, some downtown business owners say the city of Springfieldshouldn’t grant temporary licenses to allow food or beverage vendors to set up downtown for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.
“We don’t want any competition down there unless it’s someone who’s going to be in the community and stay there and be around all the time,” said Chris Hanken, who owns Sebastian’s Hideout on Fifth Street and Catch 22 on the Old Capitol Plaza.
The city has granted at least three temporary permits for downtown liquor sales on Saturday, according to city spokesman Ernie Slottag.
Slottag said he’s not aware of any concerns raised by downtown business owners. But Victoria Clemons, executive director of Downtown Springfield Incorporated, said the city shouldn’t allow anyone who doesn’t have roots in downtown to sell food and drink during St. Patrick Day festivities.
“We are totally going to look into having an ordinance to prohibit businesses from coming downtown during events,” Clemons said.
Events such as Blues and Barbecue and the Taste of Downtown are different from St. Patrick’s Day in that festival organizers obtain permits from the city. The organizers then decide who can and cannot sell within the event perimeter, Clemons said.
By contrast, a vendor who wants to sell food for a day can get a permit to set up in any number of prime locations, she said.
“We’re all a little worried,” said Barry Friedman, who owns the Alamo and Two Brothers. “It’s slow downtown. This is kind of the kick-start for our year.”
Clemons said a bar can realize as much as 30 percent of its profit for the year when the St. Patrick’s Day parade rolls through downtown.
“For a bar, it’s our biggest day, bar none,” Hanken said. “Is there enough business for everybody? I don’t know.”
Bruce Rushton can be reached at 788-1542.
Permits
Temporary permits granted for downtown liquor sales during Springfield’s St. Patrick’s Day celebration Saturday:
- One to the proprietors of Celtic Mist to allow outdoor sales;
- One to allow a catering company to hold a public party at a residence in the 400 block of East Washington Street;
- And one to Don Jackson, who plans to sell barbecue on Adams Street.
Source: Springfield city spokesman Ernie Slottag
Read the original article from The State Journal-Register.