A revamp of the Minneapolis sidewalk sales ordinance is moving forward at City Hall, with the changes passed by the Planning Committee on April 7th, KSTP.com reported. The existing ordinance does not permit businesses to display goods outside their respective buildings, with exceptions for auto sales, gas stations, lawn sales and drive-throughs. The proposed changes would give businesses the opportunity to display goods outside with at least five feet of right of way next to any display.
Council Member Elizabeth Glidden told the StarTribune that this change would encourage the development of walkable neighborhoods and business districts.
Sales would be allowed between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. and any sale of liquor, tobacco and sexually oriented images would be prohibited outdoors, the StarTribune reported.
Kristen Eide-Tollefson, owner of The Bookhouse in Dinkytown, told the StarTribune she could display items like T-shirts and records, which many people who go by might not realize she sells.
The proposed changes will be discussed by the city council at an upcoming meeting that is yet to be set.
