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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Nelson Eusebio, Representative of National Supermarket Association
2:19:53
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145 sec
Nelson Eusebio, representing the National Supermarket Association (NSA), testified about the challenges faced by supermarkets due to the current street vending system in New York City. He emphasized the need for a fair and enforceable vending system that works for all New Yorkers, including both vendors and brick-and-mortar businesses.
- The NSA represents over 600 independently owned supermarkets, predominantly run by immigrant and minority entrepreneurs.
- Eusebio highlighted issues such as overcrowded sidewalks, unregulated vending, and inconsistent enforcement, which create problems for both permitted vendors and brick-and-mortar businesses.
- He pointed out that supermarkets are unfairly held liable for incidents on sidewalks in front of their stores, even when crowded with unregulated vending activity.
Nelson Eusebio
2:19:53
Thank you.
2:19:54
My name is Nelson Osevio.
2:19:56
Thank you, chairman members of the committee for the opportunity to submit testimony from the National Supermarket Association.
2:20:04
NSA is a trade organization representing the interest in of independently owned supermarkets in New York City and beyond the five boroughs.
2:20:12
NSA advocates for more than 600 supermarkets and 15,000 employees.
2:20:18
NSA members are predominantly immigrant and minority entrepreneurs who have built their business from the ground up.
2:20:24
Our members stores are locally family owned business, many passed down from one generation to the next.
2:20:31
That serve as economy engine in the community and anchors of lifeness of healthiness, affordable food in our neighborhoods across our cities.
2:20:39
Our member employs thousands of workers, pay local taxes and invest directly in the communities where they live.
2:20:47
We submit this comment today not to oppose street vendors, many of whom share similar backgrounds to our members, but to call for a functional, fair, and enforceable vending system that works for all New Yorkers.
2:21:01
The current system of street vending in New York City is deeply flawed.
2:21:05
Overcrowded sidewalks, unregulated vending, inconsistent enforcement have created an unattainable situation for both permitted permit vendors and brick and mortar business.
2:21:18
For supermarkets in particular, the consequences are serious.
2:21:22
Vague setting rules allow vendors to operate directly outside our store renters which not only affects visibility and access but also creates real liability risk.
2:21:33
Under law, supermarkets are responsible for maintaining the sidewalks in front of the stores and are legally liable for incidents that occurred there.
2:21:42
If a pedestrian should slip and fall on a crowded sidewalk, clotted with unregulated vending activity, the supermarket the supermarket, not the vendor, is held liable.
2:21:53
This unfairly shifts the financial and legal responsibility onto supermarket owners.
2:21:59
I I know I just got the whistle, but I just wanna say that the brick and mortars are literally subsidizing everything that goes on that sidewalk.
2:22:08
We are responsible for the sidewalk from insurance, from fines, from Department of Sanitation, and if the city chooses to replace that sidewalk, they send us the bill.