Santa Clara businesses are up in arms over plans to limit street vending and outdoor merchandise sales around Levi's Stadium during the Super Bowl and FIFA World Cup events next year. The city is proposing a "Special Event Zone" that would regulate or prohibit these activities for safety reasons, citing issues with noise, traffic, and disruptions.
Locally owned restaurants like Bistro Siam are already feeling the pinch, with owners claiming that special events at the stadium disrupt their businesses. Bennie, owner of Bistro Siam, notes that during 49ers games, public transportation stops near her business, forcing customers to get off at a different station and walk, causing inconvenience and lost revenue.
Bennie supports the proposed plan to limit street vending and outdoor sales, stating that it's already happening in front of their own businesses. "They came over here, pop up the trunk, and sell jerseys and all kinds of stuff," she said. "We inform them that you know this is a private property."
However, not everyone agrees with the plan. The CEO of the Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce, Harbir Bhatia, warns that the city needs to create specific policies that don't deter existing businesses from benefiting from events while also allowing new pop-up vendors.
City Councilman Albert Gonzalez suggests tweaking the proposed ordinance to allow residents and small business owners to have canopies or inflatables for special occasions. "We want to make sure you know if little Johnny or Juanito is having a birthday party on that Saturday when there's a game or event, they can still have a canopy up in the park."
The city will reassess their options and discuss the ordinance at their upcoming meeting. With only weeks left before the big events, businesses are worried about how these regulations will impact them.
Locally owned restaurants like Bistro Siam are already feeling the pinch, with owners claiming that special events at the stadium disrupt their businesses. Bennie, owner of Bistro Siam, notes that during 49ers games, public transportation stops near her business, forcing customers to get off at a different station and walk, causing inconvenience and lost revenue.
Bennie supports the proposed plan to limit street vending and outdoor sales, stating that it's already happening in front of their own businesses. "They came over here, pop up the trunk, and sell jerseys and all kinds of stuff," she said. "We inform them that you know this is a private property."
However, not everyone agrees with the plan. The CEO of the Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce, Harbir Bhatia, warns that the city needs to create specific policies that don't deter existing businesses from benefiting from events while also allowing new pop-up vendors.
City Councilman Albert Gonzalez suggests tweaking the proposed ordinance to allow residents and small business owners to have canopies or inflatables for special occasions. "We want to make sure you know if little Johnny or Juanito is having a birthday party on that Saturday when there's a game or event, they can still have a canopy up in the park."
The city will reassess their options and discuss the ordinance at their upcoming meeting. With only weeks left before the big events, businesses are worried about how these regulations will impact them.
. I get that safety is a concern, but it seems like they're already dealing with disruptions from street vendors and pop-up sales in front of their own shops. Can't we find a happy medium? 
Maybe some designated areas for vending or sales would be better than just shutting down the whole thing. It's not just about the financial impact, either - it's about community events and gatherings that bring people together. I'm all for creating policies that benefit existing businesses while also allowing new vendors to join in on the action 
. City needs to find a balance between safety and making money from these events. Can't just put up canopies in every park 
, that's gonna be messy. Also, what about the noise regulations, won't that just push everything underground? 
I get why the city wants to limit street vending and outdoor sales, but it's also unfair to the small business owners who are already struggling. Bennie makes a valid point about the public transportation issue - it's inconvenient for customers and revenue hits her business hard. 
- santa clara businesses r like literally losin money cuz of super bowl & fifa events lol bistro siam owner bennie is like "we get it, its noisy & traffic suckz but cant we jus coexist?" meanwhile harbir bhatia is all like "city gotta make rules 4 new pop-up vendors" 
i feel like city councilman albert gonalez is tryna strike a balance tho w/ canopies n inflatables for small biz owners 
lets hope dey figure it out before super bowl 
. But for real tho its not just about making a quick buck its about supporting local businesses and stuff. I can vibe with Bennie's perspective, public transportation is lowkey annoying already. Like, idk what these pop-up vendors are thinking 
. That sounds reasonable imo. Harbir Bhatia makes a point too, dont wanna deter existing businesses from gettin in on the action. Fingers crossed the city finds a balance that works for everyone 
that would be a total bummer for her business especially during special events like the Super Bowl 
and City Councilman Albert has a good point about allowing small business owners to have canopies or inflatables too 
wouldn't want anyone missing out on making some extra cash during those events 
. At the same time, Harbir Bhatia is right - we need some rules in place that don't hurt existing businesses but also allow new pop-ups to thrive. Maybe there's a sweet spot somewhere in between? 
. I get it, safety concerns and all that jazz... but can't they find ways to regulate without suffocating the whole vibe of these events? 
I mean, I've been to those street vendors in the past, and let me tell you, they're not exactly runnin' wild out there 
. But seriously, this is gonna hurt the local businesses who are already struggling. Can't we just find a happy medium here? Maybe some designated areas for these pop-up vendors, but not like, all over the place? It's like they're tryin' to strangle the very soul of these events 
. On one hand, I get why they wanna keep things safe and organized around the stadium 
, but on the other hand, it's like they're gonna stifle that whole street vibe 
. Maybe instead of making it totally off-limits, we could find like, middle ground? Like, designated areas for vendors and stuff? That way everyone wins