Merchants in the Gaslamp Quarter have been frustrated for years by illegal sidewalk food vendors. Beyond the matter of legal operation, people are concerned vendors are health and safety risks to customers and are dumping grease in city gutters, which lead into the ocean untreated.
“It’s a bad look,” Gaslamp Quarter Association Executive Director Michael Trimble said.
Ruth-Ann Thorn, owner of Native Star boutique and Exclusive Collections Gallery in the Gaslamp Quarter, purchased property in 2024. She said illegal vending is a hit to brick-and-mortar businesses and believes the vending issue is simple: It’s illegal and should be enforced as such…