We've posted recently about sidewalk seating for restaurants and how that can truly make a space much more active and enjoyable. Given Spokane's great weather it should be a no-brainer that restaurants offer sidewalk seating when possible.
Enter the street vendor. Now this is one thing of which we'd like to see more. Over the past few months, if the urge hit us we'd head over
to Cap'n Juicy's at The Parkade for one of the variety of dogs they offer. Nice place that is complete with outdoor seating. Then one
day we spotted this guy on the corner of Howard and Riverside, so we
checked him out. We'd timed it right as the wait was fairly short
cause this guy moves quick. Our order of a Sonnenburgs' Italian
Sausage, a pop, and a bag o' chips was ready in no time, and we grabbed
a seat at the shaded garden area in front of the Bank of America.
So here's this one guy running a hot-dog vending business on a downtown
corner and he's instantly
brought some life to a place that previously
had none. We're not sure what he pulls in on a good day, but it's
definitely enough to keep him coming back. And with all the people buzzing about it lessens the need for added security. Simply put...a great use of the public space...we'll be back for sure.
You are so right. Outdoor seating helps make the streets safer. I love sitting outside because you get to see so much more and really take in the city.
Posted by: Stefan | July 19, 2006 at 10:01 PM
When I think of steet vendors, I think of Chicago. Nothing beats the smell of grilled onion and peppers in an urban setting. Something about food on a street corner makes you say ahh now this is what I like about urban life.
Posted by: HeyDuke | July 19, 2006 at 10:59 PM