The first "Why Not Wednesday" took place earlier this week, drawing more than 100 vendors to Fulton Street. Photo by Frank Lopez

Hundreds of people flocked to Downtown Fresno on Sept. 18 for the first “Why Not Wednesday” vendor faire following the ban on outdoor vendors for the monthly ArtHop events on Thursdays.

Over 100 food, art, and gift vendors attended the event, with the road closed to traffic on Fulton street from Merced Street to Inyo street.

In July, Fresno City Councilmember Miguel Arias and the Downtown Fresno Partnership announced the city would restrict all outdoor permitted and non-permitted vendors from the Downtown ArtHop event on Aug. 1, citing concerns over safety, heat, and non-permitted or unlicensed street vendors, including food stands and food trucks.

Vendors now have to pay $50 for a spot in front of some downtown storefronts, while food vendors and trucks have to pay $100.

The owners of Some artists and vendors did not support the city’s decision to ban outdoor vendors from Thursday’s ArtHop, but some Downtown Business owners and organizations were supportive.

The sponsor organizations that will manage vendors are Fresno Street Eats, MAS Fresno, Alley in The Valley, Bad Kids Club, and Madness Thrift. They collect the fees from the vendors.

Vincente Apodaca, owner of Madness Thrift said the first “Why Not Wednesday” event was the foundation that it will be built on and hopes it will grow as more people become aware of the event.

“Hopefully we could bring some new stuff to downtown and bring a safe environment for everyone,” Apodaca said.

While vendors were banned from Thursday’s ArtHop, the new event offers opportunity to do something similar and make some money for the City of Fresno.

Apodaca said he was impressed with the turnout, considering it was a Wednesday and it was the very first time the event was held.

Dozens of Fresno Police Department officers patrolled the area, and two mobile restrooms were provided by Mid Valley Disposal.

Apodaca said that some vendors were selling alcohol and cannabis products to minors, noting the need for more regulation and security for the popular event.

Alicia Quesada, a local artist and co-owner of Art Lab Candy, a painting, prints, and sticker shop, had been selling their ArtHop in 2014, and saw the event grow in popularity over the years.

She said business was really good during the ArtHop events, and that seeing the ban on outdoor vendors was tough, but she understands the city’s reasoning behind the decision.

“We are in a unique position to where, because we are original artists, we can still take place in ArtHop indoors and also at Why Not Wednesdays,” Quesada said.

Ariana Gonzalez, a local artist, and vendor, had been selling her art and jewelry at ArtHop for nearly four years, but when outdoor vendors were banned, she actually grew her business by taking more orders and participating in other vendor faire events.

She said she is dismayed by the city’s decision to ban outdoor vendors at ArtHop, saying the culture that was cultivated over the years is lost, but she can see why the decision was made.

“It’s more organized, safer, and we do got to work with the opportunities we have now,” Gonzalez said.

Sophia Sanchez of the Bad Kids Club vintage clothing store in Mammoth Mall, said she was initially really upset with the city’s move to ban the outdoor vendors at ArtHop initially upset her, but as she got more informed, she understood why it was done.

“At the beginning we all had a bad taste in our mouth, because we were all part of it. At the same time, changes happen and all we can do is accept and adapt, because we are small business and we are here everyday,” Sanchez said.

She said they have to take advantage of the help from the city, and they are getting more support than ever from the city—and for free.

Sanchez highlighted that some of the fees collected from vendors will be split between musical acts organizers. “Its going to start small—everyone starts small, but we are going to get it somewhere bigger,” Sanchez said.