You see them on holidays where flowers are appropriate such as Valentine’s Day. You probably saw them this past week with Mother’s Day upon us—the peddlers who seem to flock into the City of Dillon on every holiday trying to sell baskets, balloons, etc. You may be asking what harm do they do and what does it matter if they give you a great deal. It does matter, however, and we should all be up in arms about it.
These out-of-town vendors descend upon our town on nearly every holiday taking away much-needed sales from our local businesses. Sales from days that should be big events for our local florists and other local businesses that sell similar merchandise lose out to fly-by-night vendors who are here today and gone tomorrow. It simply doesn’t seem fair, and something more needs to be done about it.
In recent months, the City of Dillon did strengthen its ordinance regarding what they term, “peddlers.” In March of this year, the city raised the business license fee for these “peddlers” to do business in the city. City residents, who are “peddlers,” are charged $200 for Income $0-$2,000 and an over $2,000 rate at 2.00 per thousand. County residents and out of county residents pay $500 for Income $0-$2,000 and an over $2,000 rate at 3.00 per thousand. This is just not enough.
While these vendors swoop in and are gone in an instant, our local businesses are here with us every day. They pay a business license fee and taxes. They employ our friends and neighbors who are trying to make a living and better the economy in our community. They are the ones who support our ball teams, school clubs, and other civic-minded activities. These are the people who are with us every day, not just when it is convenient, and they can make a quick buck and be gone. Whatever the city charges, it certainly will not be enough to add up to the contributions that our local businesses make every day as part of our community. So support your local businesses and the hardworking people who live in our communities. Ask your city council members to do the same. It’s important to all of us that we support the businesses who support us and who want to be part of our community every day, not just a holiday. Shop locally and ask your council members to protect our local businesses.