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Market mulls outdoor food vendors

By Larry Thomas -- Furniture Today, April 28, 2002

HIGH POINT — Over the objections of one of its board members, the International Home Furnishings Market Authority agreed to explore the possibility of allowing food vendors to set up shop outdoors during market.

A majority of the board asked Market Authority President Judy Mendenhall to see if such vendors could operate without violating a 1999 High Point city ordinance that essentially banned outdoor vendors in the downtown area during market.

Three blocks of Commerce Street are closed during market, and several board members said the two-block section between Elm and Wrenn streets would be a prime location for food vendors. Several board members also said they had received a number of complaints from buyers about the lack of food service during the twice-a-year show.

However, board member Bruce Miller, chief executive officer of the International Home Furnishings Center, said allowing outdoor vendors was a bad idea that could open the door for other vendors selling non-food items.

"We've had bad experiences with that (vendors) in the past. You can get a lot of junk out there, and we don't want that next to our building," Miller said.

Board member Randy Short agreed that there have been problems in the past, but said the Market Authority should explore the possibility of allowing selected food vendors to operate under tightly controlled conditions.

"We don't want people selling socks or NASCAR memorabilia, or whatever … but it just seems like there is a food issue out there that needs to be addressed," said Short, president of Stanford Furniture.

Mendenhall said she would discuss the matter with High Point city officials and see if food vendors would be permitted if they are under contract with the Market Authority.

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High Point OKs street food sales at market

Aug 18, 2002

Four outdoor food vendors authorized for market

Oct 13, 2002

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