Mobile retailers receive ‘best chance to succeed’

Pilot project will allow up to 2 vendors, but downtown is off-limits

A clothing store on wheels now has the blessing of city council to do business in select parts of Penticton.

Council on Tuesday approved a pilot project that will treat mobile retail vendors in much the same way the city treats food trucks.

A maximum of two mobile retailers will be allowed to set up shop almost anywhere, except on vacant commercial sites or in the downtown core.

That exclusion zone was suggested by the Downtown Penticton Association.

“The DPA understands the appeal of this new business model is lower overhead with considerable savings on rent, staffing, insurance, WCB, taxes and utilities,” the group wrote in a letter to council.

“These are the same reasons the bricks-and-mortar business owners are not in favour of inviting the mobile retail trucks to park on the main streets (in) downtown Penticton competing with them.”

Coun. Judy Sentes said she had been opposed to the concept of mobile vending for those very same reasons, but has since grown to appreciate the variety it will add for shoppers.

“I do enjoy (mobile retail trucks) being part of the market. I think that’s where they’re appropriate, or at some of the sites beyond and outside of our downtown area,” she said.

Council did, however, direct staff to consult again with the DPA about the possibility of allowing mobile vendors downtown after regular business hours when shops are closed.

“We’re talking about one truck right now, possibly two. Let’s give them the best chance to succeed,” said Coun. Campbell Watt.

The pilot project was ordered by council after it was approached last year by the owner of Chic Boutique, who said she sunk $50,000 into a truck after a city staffer apparently told her mobile retail was permitted, only to find out it wasn’t.