The City of Athens has lowered vendor permit fees from $450 to $25 a month, according to Cricket Jones, a local jewelry vendor, allowing more small businesses to operate on city streets.
The reduction came after local vendors raised concerns about the high cost.
“I work with the city, and I told them that wasn’t realistic,” Jones said. “Everybody wants to see a pretty little town with art on the street, but they have to give in a little to get that.”
Vendors must still meet city requirements to obtain and maintain a permit. Applications can be submitted online or in person with proof of liability insurance listing the City of Athens as a certificate holder.
The policy must include a minimum of $100,000 coverage and $300,000 in bodily injury or wrongful death coverage.
Additional requirements include equipment inspections by the Athens Fire Department, food licenses when applicable and measurements verified by the code office. Vendors must also pay a $25 monthly fee to keep their permits valid.
Street vending is only allowed in designated areas, with reserved spaces, such as East Union Street, South Congress Street and Armory Street, except during council-sanctioned special events approved by the service-safety director.
Vendors may operate between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 a.m. Equipment must be no larger than 8 feet wide, 10 feet tall and 20 feet long, including the trailer hitch or tow bar, with all operable openings fully extended.
Holly Ittel, owner of Other Perfect Things, partners with Bleeding Heart Boutique to sell permanent jewelry. She said the lower fees will allow her to reach more customers outside her usual location.
“It’s really wonderful to see a lot of other small businesses bring vibrancy to Athens,” Ittel said.
Ittel has various licenses allowing her to sell in Athens County and is not required to have a specific pop-up license to sell at Bleeding Heart Boutique.
“I am really happy selling at Bleeding Heart, but I would like to see how I can attract a new customer base by selling on Union Street,” Ittel said.
Students have responded positively to the new vendors.
“I think it's really cool to be able to support these small businesses and get handmade jewelry from these stands,” Natalie Wagner, a junior studying early childhood education, said.
