Fenway street vendors get approval
City reverses course after suit filed
Fenway Park’s street vendors will be safe at home around the historic ballpark come Opening Day after city officials quickly reversed course on a temporary ban on the sausage slingers.
“The vendors are very, very happy,” said Glen Hannington, the attorney who’s representing the people who sell sausages, peanuts and the like outside the 109-yearold park. “You don’t fool around with the vendors. They’re sacred — they’re like the American flag and apple pie.”
The city confirmed on Tuesday that the vendors were good to go.
A public works department spokesman said in a statement Tuesday, “After careful consideration and understanding where the city of Boston stands in the reopening process, the decision to allow Fenway Park vendors to begin on opening day was made. As we continue to follow COVID19 protocols, our Inspectional Services Department will provide additional guidelines specific to these vendors and we look forward to another great season of Red Sox baseball.”
The city had found itself caught in a pickle after it emailed the 10or-so vendors suddenly on Friday, writing, “The city has decided that they will place vending at Fenway Park on hold for the next two months due to COVID concerns. The city will revisit that decision in June and decide at that time the safety of opening Fenway vending activities with COVID guidelines for customer distancing.”
The vendors reached deep into their phonebooks to call up Hannington, who’d represented them 23 years ago when the Sox told them right before Christmas that they couldn’t come back. Hannington phoned at-large City Councilor Michael Flaherty, and the two went to work, telling the city it had committed an error.
Speaking on the phone on Tuesday, Hannington said he had been ready — and had the go-ahead from the merchants — to file a lawsuit in Suffolk Superior Court and seek an injunction against the city.
“It should never have happened,” he said. “These are hardworking men and women, and that’s their livelihood.”
He said the vendors are park of the famed ballpark’s mystique — and that the Sox were very cooperative this time around in supporting them. The vendors will be ready to go for the Sox’ home opener on April 1, he said.
Flaherty said in a statement that he was happy to help the vendors after they and Hannington reached out.
“City officials will be working with the vendors to implement guidelines for their safe operation, ensuring that the appropriate social distancing and proper health protocols are in place and strictly enforced,” he said.