(De)Coding Equitable Retail Opportunities

Many fondly remember the ice cream truck on hot summer days, the vibrancy of farmers markets, and grabbing a bottle of water from a city vendor. These forms of commerce outside traditional brick-and-mortar spaces provide critical economic opportunities for returning citizens, immigrants, students, and others, allowing them to support themselves and their families. An Institute for Justice study estimated that street vendors in New York City contribute $293 million to the city’s economy. Often, these ventures serve as stepping stones, demonstrating viability and enabling businesses to secure future funding and permanent space. However, many communities across the nation have archaic regulations and lack flexible, appropriately scaled legislation to support these pathways to a more equitable future.

These activities are vital for fostering equity in public spaces, reflecting local cultures and values, and offering alternative opportunities in areas where traditional commercial spaces may be too costly or inaccessible. This panel explores the economic case for such businesses, highlights promising practices, and discusses planning interventions. Examples include Pomona’s recently adopted street vending and accessory commercial unit (ACU) ordinances, the legacy of exclusionary policies in many southern and suburban communities, and innovations in food trucks, street vending, and markets in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Tulsa, Oklahoma.

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