saeedahmed.com

The Olympic Files

thomson network; 07/31/96; rbm; for: all papers
editors: news or business page interest; photo to accompany story

VENDORS COMPLAIN ABOUT SLOW BUSINESS

By SAEED AHMED

ATLANTA -- Matt Gist paid $7,000 to set up a snack stand on Auburn Avenue, thinking the rich African-American history of the area would attract thousands of tourists.

But as the Olympics progress, prospects for profit appear dim for the 38-year-old Waltham, Mass., resident.

``This is pitiful," Gist said. ``I took out a loan and mortgaged my house to come to Atlanta for my piece of the Olympic pie. I'm drowning now."

Like Gist, vending has become a volatile issue for most merchants in Auburn Avenue. While established businesses along the street report a slight increase of business, the story is different for the small entrepreneurs who set up shop temporarily on the famous boulevard.

Many had invested thousands of dollars for a presence in the area -- home to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center and numerous historic churches -- and they're blaming Atlanta organizers for their poor sales.

``ACOG (the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games) led us on and lied to us," said Maurice Parker, a vendor from Memphis, Tenn. ``They promised us all these things and then (reneged on) everything."

The merchants said they were told Auburn Avenue would be made into a pedestrian corridor for the Games. The area is still not entirely off-limits to vehicles, causing many tourists to avoid it altogether rather than brave the traffic.

The vendors have also complained about police harassment and of health officials shutting them down on minor technicalities. And many believe local hotels are scaring away visitors by painting the area as a ``high crime zone" and asking them to exercise caution.

``We've been placed in a no-win situation," said Charles Johnson, president of the Sweet Auburn Area Business Association. ``On one hand, Auburn Avenue is allegedly crime-ridden and unsafe. On the other hand, the city closes down the only police precinct in the area for whatever reason.

``And when they reopened it after we threatened to protest at ACOG's headquarters, it's only until 6 p.m. It makes no sense."

City officials have said they're doing all they can to address the concerns of the Auburn Avenue merchants, and want the vendors to understand sales have been slow at booths all around Atlanta. The city has planned several initiatives aimed at promoting the area to Olympics visitors.

But for vendors like Faosat Enaholu, it's a case of too little, too late.

The Atlanta native said organizers promised her vendors would make double the money made during the 1984 Los Angeles Games. But with the Olympics half-way over and with no chance for her to break even, she's ready to fold shop.

``I've had to lower prices everyday," Enaholu said. ``When I started, I was charging $10 a plate for authentic African food. Now, it's like 'give me whatever you got.'"

``It's not worth it, all this trouble," she said. ``This place is so deserted, it's feels like every day is Sunday morning church service."