Store owners already challenged by COVID-19 regulations and the resulting lockdowns and other onerous regulations have an additional hurdle to overcome: the increased presence of street vendors, many of whom are illegal.
There are as many as 20,000 street vendors in New York City.
The New York City Council has just passed legislation, Intro 1116, that lifts the permit cap by 4,000.
Brick and mortar stores become a fabric of their communities in a way that transient vendors do not. They contribute to the permanent improvement of neighborhoods and provide employment opportunities, all at significant expense and risk to owners.