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February 18th, 2008
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Some sausage stands saved

City to revamp stands as part of future facelift for Wenceslas Square

February 13th, 2008 issue

By Kimberly Hiss

KURT VINION/THE PRAGUE POST
A sausage vendor at a DMJ-operated stand holds up the petition that some credit with saving the stalls.
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Staff Writer
The sale of sausages and other fast foods will likely continue on Wenceslas Square — but not necessarily from the same stands currently offering them.
Previously, new street vendor regulations approved by City Hall in December were poised to implement an outright ban on food stands, but officials are now looking to revamp the stalls and reduce their number instead of eliminating them altogether.
The change in plan comes shortly after a petition to save the stands began circulating late last year. It was started by the owner of DMJ, a company that operates many of the Wenceslas Square stands, a week after City Hall announced its intended ban. Sausage patrons soon got used to seeing a list of concerned signatures on a clipboard by food stand cash registers. The petition, along with a letter from DMJ, was then received by City Hall.
While local headlines cited the petition as the reason for the officials’ decision to soften the ban, the officials themselves are less inclined to give it as much credit, pointing out that the language of the petition renders it useless to protect the existing stands.
“I have read it and I am aware of its content,” Deputy Mayor Rudolf Blažek said. “Nevertheless, the petition was targeted at preserving sausage selling on Wenceslas Square in general, not only at keeping the stands in question now.” He did concede that the petition reassured City Hall of the public demand for sausages.
Furthermore, Blažek pointed out that two DMJ-owned stands at the bottom of the square have been operating in violation of market rules since Jan. 1, when a termination of their lease went into effect.
DMJ did not respond to Prague Post requests for comment as of press time.
In terms of the big picture, Blažek went on to say that City Hall’s current intentions to revamp and reduce the number of both food and newspaper stands are part of an overall future facelift for Wenceslas Square.
“There is a plan for a new look of Wenceslas Square,” he said. “It still takes into account street sales.” The eventual plan should include new food and newsstands that would look similar to the existing ones and be leased to vendors. But there would be fewer — likely 10 to 12, as opposed to the current 26.
Existing stands are expected to close throughout the coming year. Two newsstands and one food stand are scheduled to close when their leases expire June 30. Another two food stands should close Dec. 31.
Sausages aren’t the only sales item concerning City Hall. A ban on selling alcohol — especially in the city center — is expected to take effect in the second half of this year, according to Blažek. The market rules amendment that would enact such a regulation will be circulated among City Hall officials later this month and in March. That ban would be enforced through frequent checks resulting in sanctions if the regulation is not followed.
Word on the street
Among locals and tourists, there’s no shortage of differing opinions on the issue of the food stands’ future. Květa Vítková, a technician from Ostrava who took a moment while passing a stand to share her thoughts, said she was of two minds on the topic.
“I think some of the stands should be here, just because of the young people who can buy some easy and inexpensive food there,” she said. “But, on the other hand, I’m not happy with the design. They could have better seating as well.”
Jared Kelly, a visitor from Dublin, was sympathetic to the stands. “If they’re a local tradition,” he said, “then they should stay.”
However, local resident Marek Tichý had no mercy for the stalls when asked for his comment. “They’re horrible and they smell bad,” he said, gesturing to a stand at the bottom of the square. “And they’re fast food; it’s not traditional.”
— Hela Balínová and Naďa Černá contributed to this report.
Kimberly Hiss can be reached at khiss@praguepost.com


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Reader's comments:

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[14:46 14/02/2008] : Unless they decide to open a Denny's or IHOP in Prague for those of that like to eat after a party, those stands have got to stay!
Sanan Phutrakul
Praha 3
[11:10 15/02/2008] : It's nice that some stands were saved, because I think they are very popular. They make the walk along the long square lively and nice.
Also I'm a personal fan of the food! I do think they could look better and could maybe be changed to a more "ancient" look that fits in better with the look of the town!
But please keep the city alive, and don't turn it into a museum!

Marc Meijer
MARC MEIJER
utrecht, nizozemni
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