They say they’re helping Fresno’s ArtHop vendors ‘because the city isn’t’

FRESNO, Calif. ( KSEE/KGPE ) – A Downtown Fresno venue is stepping up to help vendors banned by the City of Fresno from taking part in ArtHop because they say the city is not going to do anything for them.

The move to offer free vendor space by the owner of The Rosé on Van Ness Avenue follows the announcement last week by Fresno City Councilmember Miguel Arias that outside vendors and events will not be permitted at the ArtHop in August.

The Rosé owner Mysti Dailey and event organizer Justice Medina say the recent announcement banning outdoor vending will be a major blow to vendors financially.

“I don’t think it’s fair for [the city] to cut things off,” Dailey said. “Although some people may not be registered business owners, this is a way for them to support their families, and as a community, we should help each other.”

For over a year, The Rosé has hosted an ArtHop after-party.

“If you are a vendor, a merchandise vendor, we’re asking you guys to contact us and we’re going to help you out so that you can provide for your families – because the city isn’t,” Dailey said.

Dailey says Councilmember Arias should have discussed the issue with vendors before banning outdoor vending for August’s ArtHop. Dailey is also skeptical of Arias’ claims that heat was a factor that contributed to the decision to ban outdoor vending for August’s ArtHop. According to the National Weather Service, the hottest temperatures recorded in Fresno have all been in the month of July for over 100 years.

“ArtHop has been going on since 1997, I was pregnant with my son in 1996, that was one of our hottest years, 1997 was a hot year as well,” Dailey said. “It didn’t stop and it shouldn’t stop now.”

Medina says the evolution of ArtHop has brought positive results to Downtown Fresno that should be celebrated, not stopped.

“Everything evolves, ArtHop is turning into something extremely beautiful,” Medina said. “Every first Thursday we see 15,000 to 20,000 people that are walking the streets.”

Medina says he doesn’t believe that the City of Fresno’s police department is incapable of patrolling ArtHop to ensure the event remains safe.

“The police department can get money for guns, they can get money for armored vehicles, I think that they can come out and put a couple more patrol cars downtown to make sure that everything stays safe and that the downtown economy stays stimulated,” Medina said.

Any vendor interested in setting up at The Rosé to sell from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. is asked to reach out via social media to reserve one of their 30 free spots.

YourCentralValley.com has reached out to both the City of Fresno and the Fresno Police Department for a statement in response.

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