One of the very few downsides of the Cape Charles Public Beach is the lack of food and drink vendors that are within easy walking distance. The Planning Commission has attempted to address this with a proposed draft text amendment to Article III Section 3.15.B limited access for commercial activity in the Open Space District (east (landward) of the toe of the dune to the Boardwalk to south of the pavilion to the fishing pier). The amendment will allow “Certain limited refreshment and beach related commercial activity”. What is being proposed is a section where vendors can set up small ‘carts’ with a limited footprint to sell food and drink, as well as rentals, such as kayaks, umbrellas and chairs. Light retail (hats, shirts, etc.) will also be allowed. The proposed commercial hours will be noon to six, and the vendor will be required to be there (or risk losing the spot). Commercial activity shall be restricted to May 1st through September 15th. Signage is required to be temporary such as banners and flags, with a maximum of six (6) square feet in area.
The Problem
According to the draft, “No commercial activity will be conducted from motor vehicles and shall exclude the use of external generators and electronic amplification.” This will eliminate actual food trucks or gourmet wagons such as JUM JUM or the Hashi Truck, limiting sale items to what most people already carry themselves in a cooler.
The council has directed staff to study the Farmer’s Market model, as far as how they determine who is allowed to lease a spot on their grounds.
I think this will be a welcome change to the beachfront, provided the carts/kiosks are well maintained and have a nice look to them. It would be so wonderful to have a kiosk that sold flip flops, sunblock, hats, sunglasses, etc. Kids’ flip flops are forever being lost or broken, and a day at the beach without sunblock, a hat or glasses can be a disaster. Where I appreciate Dollar General and Food Lion, Dollar Gen doesn’t tend to restock items after the 4th, and having to run all the way out of town to get needed items is such a pain in the middle of a beach day. It would be great to have a kiosk that sold kites, volleyballs and other beach toys, too. Not sure bathing suits could be sold via a larger kiosk, but CC def needs a source with a selection!! Between family, friends and other guests, we have had many a forgotten suits, or bathing suit malfunctions, over the years, and we have wished for a shop where suits can be replaced easily. Since they are seasonal items, maybe a larger kiosk model, with a try on area,will be easier to maintain for seasonal items than a year round storefront? I attended a Celtic Fest this summer where they sold dresses in a kiosk/ tent that had a try one area, and they were very successful, so I know the try on area can be done. Fingers crossed that this idea can become a reality, as it seems there are many exciting retail opportunities. 🙂