Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
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More entrepreneurs are taking advantage of a small business opportunity in Salt Lake City. It's happening as the weather warms up, and as more hungry tourists hit the sidewalks.
It's not your imagination: There are more places to pick up a quick snack on the streets these days -- and more variety, too.
Juan Paez is getting ready for the lunch rush with drinks and a red-hot grill. He's one of more than two dozen street vendors who are making a living on Salt Lake's sidewalks -- this one near the new Clark planetarium.
Juan Paez/Sidewalk Vendor: "IT'S WORKING REALLY GOOD. I JUST HAVE A WEEK AND A HALF HERE, BUT IT'S WORKING REAL GOOD."
At Pioneer Park, they're pouring the hot sauce on for an early lunch. This is yet another new spot for the familiar carts--and a welcome sight for the 'hungry in a hurry.'
Bob Nunnley/Customer: "WELL, IT'S EITHER THAT OR ANOTHER CAFE, SO SOMEBODY'S GOT TO EAT, SO..."
The warm weather is bringing both the carts and the customers out in droves.
This year, there is more variety---including Japanese food near Abravanel Hall.
Richard Piatt, Eyewitness News: "IT'S NO ACCIDENT YOU'RE SEEING MORE VENDORS LIKE THESE ON SALT LAKE'S SIDEWALKS. IT'S PART OF A DELIBERATE EFFORT ON THE PART OF THE CITY AS A WHOLE MORE FRIENDLY TO PEDESTRIANS."
There are more carts in new locations this year--new City rules let the carts go to a wider area.
The old standbys---like this downtown hot dog vendor are still popular.
And at 8th South, the Sears parking lot continues to be a makeshift lunchroom.
Jeff Cannon/Customer: "WE STOPPED TO GET OUR TACOS BECAUSE THEY'RE SO GOOD. I SAID 'WE'RE STOPPING!' "
The warmer weather, more competition, is good for the customers, too--whoever they are.
'Todd'/Street Vendor: "THE HOMELESS PEOPLE ON THE STREET TO THE STOCKBROKERS AND LAWYERS. YOU GET ALL KINDS, ALL CLASSES OF PEOPLE COMING HERE TO BUY YOUR FOOD."
There was a battle down the street -- an established restaurant didn't like the food vendors competing on 8th South. But that dispute worked out in the vendor's favor and more people are trying to make a living at it in more places in the city than ever before.
