Charlotte City Council raises concerns over late-night street vendors in Uptown and South End

CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Street food might be a popular late-night snack, but it’s also stirring up some concerns among Charlotte City Council members.

At a recent meeting, council members voiced worries about the growing number of food vendors popping up in Uptown and South End, especially during the late-night hours when bars are closing and crowds start to form.

The concern is that the growing vendor scene could lead to overcrowding and, potentially, more crime. While the city already has a pilot program in place for food vendors, it only applies to the NoDa area. Uptown and South End operate under different rules.

In Uptown, vendors are required to have a city permit and documentation from Mecklenburg County’s Food and Facilities Sanitation Program. South End, on the other hand, doesn’t require a permit, but vendors still need to pass a health inspection from the county.

What’s raising red flags for city officials is the timing. Many vendors reportedly begin setting up shop just as nightlife is winding down, when bars close and foot traffic increases. That combination, council members said, could be a recipe for trouble.

Mayor Pro Tem and District 1 representative Dante Anderson is pushing for more oversight.

“We really need to make sure that we are getting into Uptown and South End late at night to make sure that any vendors that are out there are out there legally,” Anderson said. “And that they are abiding by the food and beverage laws and making sure they have a permit to do so.”

The council plans to set aside time at its next meeting to specifically discuss this further.

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