Knoxville to Consider Ordinance Restricting Vendors

At the past few Knoxville City Council meetings, an issue was brought up about a couple who have been vending BBQ right outside the Big Catz BBQ on Main street set to open next month.The Big Catz BBQ is part of the Pioneer Plaza, and Plaza owner Keith Vaughn says the couple should not be allowed to set up there, since they don’t have a business in Knoxville.

Vaughn tells WGIL that it is unfair to the businesses that invest in building spaces.

“The issue is, is that every business in downtown Knoxville, everybody has invested in these buildings to open their business. It’s a lot of money to do that, it’s a lot of risk,” says Vaughn. “For someone to come in, that’s not even associated with Knoxville or have a brick-and-mortar business, they’re able to come and set up on our sidewalks and sell anything they want.”

Vendors Denise Shepherd and Terry Howarter said at the meeting that they were using the vending cart to promote their business, The Great Outdoors, and only do it a few times throughout the summer.

The city council was torn about the decision, but are expected to bring a draft agreement to the next meeting that allows vending for special occasion purposes.