Just over a year ago, visitors could find dozens of vendors lined along the sidewalks of King Street, showcasing a diversity of art pieces. Today, five spots dedicated to vending are available on King Street, which sometimes sit empty as visitors pass by. 

Artist Kelly Mosenfelder is the owner of Barefoot and Brazen, her art business where she sells an assortment of handmade items, handmade jewelry and leather goods. Mosenfelder started vending on King Street approximately 2.5 years ago.

Mosenfelder said she set up her booth in front of the brick wall of King Street where Famous Toastery is located. She typically made anywhere from $300 to $500 per day selling her art.

In July of 2023, the Town of Boone approved an ordinance originally proposed in June of the same year regulating street vendors. Under the ordinance, vendors are now required to purchase a permit and must be contained to one of five spaces in front of the post office.

According to chapter 111 in the Town of Boone Code of Ordinances, the regulation was implemented due to, but not limited to, “pedestrian safety and aesthetic issues.”

Mosenfelder said after the passage of the ordinance, she did not purchase a permit and stopped selling on King Street. She said she stopped visiting and spending money at local businesses in Boone because she no longer had a reason to visit the downtown area. She moved away and currently resides in West Virginia.

Mosenfelder said she believes other artists who used to sell on King Street have also been negatively affected and no longer contribute to the economy downtown or vend in the regulated spaces.

“You might be lucky to see one person a day even down there,” Mosenfelder said. “People might have bought permits but they’re not using them because once they go and sit in front of the post office, they’re not making any money.”

Because of this, the lack of artists has taken away the cheery feeling people experience when they’re visiting downtown, Mosenfelder said.

“The vibrant art scene and the life that the art scene brought to the town no longer exists,” she said.

Additionally, Mosenfelder said the ordinance is impacting local art students who previously relied on vending on King Street and feels as if the opportunity has been stripped away from emerging artists.

Downtown Development Coordinator Lane Moody said in 2023, 14 vendors applied for applications to vend downtown. This year, she said the number of applicants dropped to five, with two renewals from last year and 11 “active” vendor permits. 

Moody said the Town of Boone is working with the Watauga Arts Council to provide additional programming opportunities for artists and visitors during the First Friday Art Crawl, held every first Friday of the month. She said this event is open to vendors without permits and does not limit vendors to the typical spots in front of the post office.

However, Mosenfelder said the Art Crawl doesn’t make up for the changes and does not provide an adequate space for artists.

“You can’t sell things when you’re not seen,” Mosenfelder said.

Moody said she observed a lack of vendors using the designated spaces but mentioned the timing of the year could have some influence with that, suggesting the start of the fall semester might increase the number of artists vending.

“They’re not out there a lot,” she said.

As with any new ordinance, Moody said she knew the implementation of the ordinance would be a “learning curve.” She said as of right now, the town does not have any plans to alter the ordinance. 

Moody said she has received a lot of feedback from vendors. During the proposal process, she believes many vendors knew there needed to be changes to prioritize safety. She said there had been some “close calls” with pedestrians, vendors and cars, which prompted the ordinance to address safety concerns. 

Moody said while she has witnessed foot traffic down by the post office, she has noticed oftentimes vendors are not present. She suggested vendors be patient when it comes to vending in the new space.

Today, Mosenfelder said she is making more money than when she sold on King Street, but has to work significantly harder and longer, now working seven days a week to compensate.