The Business Battle on the Boardwalk in San Diego

You might call it a business battle on the boardwalk. And if you’ve been to Mission Beach or Pacific Beach in recent months, you’ve seen it.

A battle between small businesses and street vendors. Owners of the restaurants and shops who pay rent and taxes to operate, have not been happy with the street vendors who just set up a stand along the boardwalk and sell everything from t-shirts to tacos to locals and tourists and are making money without spending the money the business owners they have to spend and affecting their business

With the San Diego City Council looking like they will soon be moving forward with what they say is a solution, there may be a peace agreement soon in this boardwalk battle that also has been going on in parts of Little Italy and downtown.

The challenge for city council members is coming up with regulations that are fair for everyone, the store owners, the street vendors, oh, and the public. But that’s not going to be easy.

The Voice of San Diego reported this week how divisive this battle has become and whatever plan the city council ends up approving, it may not lead to a permanent peace treaty but maybe at least a truce.   

(Photo Getty Images)