Recently, I noticed more and more peddlers standing on Sunset's street corners selling fruits, mostly flats of strawberries and bags of oranges. At first, I just viewed these individuals as hard-working folks who are just trying to earn a living. But after thinking about it some more, I don't think they should be allowed to stand on street corners to sell fruits at all. These are illegal street vendors. They do not have a permit to sell. They are here one day and not the next. How do we know where the fruits came from? Were they properly stored and refrigerated? Are they safe to eat? There is absolutely no responsibility and accountability if anything goes wrong.
Health-issue aside, have you thought about how these people impact our local grocery store owners, who took the LEGAL and RIGHTFUL way to do business? They obtained a permit, pay for rent, pay taxes, pay for the overhead costs, etc. These store owners are being squeezed out of business because someone decides that he can evade all laws and taxes and set up his own little shop on the street corner for free?? This is wrong.
Supply equals demand. Therefore, I ask you to please NOT patronize these illegal street vendors. Yes, you might save a dollar here and there, but the more you buy from them, the more they will show up. Soon enough, every street corner will be filled with someone standing there selling fruits at the expense of our local grocery stores!
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