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First Fridays and urban life in Phoenix.

The city of Phoenix is looking to enforce licensing of vendors who sell their 'wares' during the monthly First Fridays event in the Roosevelt Arts District. I think this is an eventuality of such event. As the loft owners and gallery owners try and keep the focus of the event, small entrepreneurs have seen this as an opportunity to get their stuff 'out there'. They have set up shop on every piece of concrete or dirt along Roosevelt. This has grown to a critical mass and I do think it's a good idea for a small fee to be paid to help cover police and sanitation needs that the event creates. Moderation and the fee's and restrictions will be a good thing for all. If the city gets to involved it could greatly restrict the event and cause a successful monthly downtown event to lose it's allure. M.

Posted by Michael Fitzpatrick on 03/06/2008 12:28 PM

Comments (4)

phoenix, first fridays, lofts, galleries, urban, condos

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4 Comments on First Fridays and urban life in Phoenix.

I attended my first, First Fridays this past Fri (March 7th), and I enjoyed it very much, even though I did not have enough time to see everything.

I also went to Art Detour (looks at clock), yesterday. I must say, I found the Detour to be a drag. First Friday's I think is only successful because of the street vendors who do set up on the sidewalks and vacant lots.

From what I heard, the gallery's want the vendors gone because they are under selling the gallery's. Lets face it, I think without the street vendors First Fridays would die. I was unbelieveably dissapointed in the Art Detour. I had hoped it would have been like the night before, like First Friday.

So that being said, I think the "fee" they want, is just a tactic at tossing them out completely, which would be a harm to the First Friday, because the street vendors in my opinion, ARE First Friday. I hope to get to go to a 2nd First Friday with the Vendors there, because without, there is no point.

03/09/2008 03:04 AM

by Jessica

I hope that the City of Phoenix has a little more foresight than to let the street vendors abandon First Friday. The populartiy of First Friday is something that I mention to prospective buyers when they ask me if its safe along that Roosevelt Avenue area in midtown/downtown Phoenix.

03/09/2008 10:20 PM

by Phoenix High Rise and Loft Condo Expert, Will Daly at www.WeKnowUrban.com (WeKnowUrban.com)

I am a vendor on First FRidays. My company LowBrow Clothing ( www.lowbrowclothing.com ) loves the event and the people love us. I hope the City of Phoenix knows they are ruining something that keeps Phoenix such a great place to be. We need events like this and if you notice, thousands of people show up and are all smiling. City of Phoenix can suck a booty!!!! I hope everyone rises up and do what it takes to keep First Friday alive? Have we had a riot yet in Phoenix? :)

04/02/2008 11:53 AM

by David Dankers

I must say I have gotten some calls about people who feel this First Friday drama is a crock of feces. Bless all of your hearts. We need to stick together in this and let Phoenix know or the powers that be to leave something alone when it works just fine. Not borke do not fix it sort of thing. Everyone that is against the new FF rule and how the are directly ruining the awesome event FF is please keep in touch. Email me or call me and let me know what can be done. I am still in the dark somewhat, but have heard that sidewalks are no longer an option to set up on. Great!!!! Now there will only be 20% of the vendors there are normally. Suck a Booty Phoenix decison makers!!!!!

David Dankload

www.lowbrowclothing.com

Lbdankload@gmail.com

480 244 1856

05/02/2008 05:20 PM

by David of LowBrow Clothing