Phoenix Launches Vendor Pilot to Refocus First Fridays on Art in Roosevelt Row
On September 9, the city council of Phoenix approved a pilot initiative aimed at transforming First Fridays in the Roosevelt Row arts district. This revised approach permits local brick-and-mortar establishments to feature outdoor vendors who sell handmade art, crafts, or food, moving away from the previous large vendor fair format. The shift comes after a pause in April due to safety concerns linked to crowds of up to 15,000 and instances of violence. Dean Terasaki from Eye Lounge expressed worries about safety, while Dana Johnson of Alwun House criticized the presence of non-art vendors. Developed in collaboration with Artlink, Downtown Phoenix Inc., and Roosevelt Row CDC, the pilot seeks to refocus the event on the arts, though community reactions remain varied.
Key facts
- Phoenix City Council adopted a vendor pilot program on September 9 to reconfigure First Fridays in Roosevelt Row.
- The pilot allows brick-and-mortar businesses to apply for permits to host outdoor vendors selling hand-crafted, locally made art, crafts, or food.
- The program replaces the large vendor fair organized by the Roosevelt Row Community Development Corporation, eliminating street closures.
- First Fridays crowds sometimes swelled to 15,000 people, with reports of violence including teen takeovers and shootings.
- In April, the city paused the art market and related street closures, leading to mixed community reactions.
- The pilot was developed through collaboration among Artlink, Downtown Phoenix Inc., and the Roosevelt Row CDC, including listening sessions.
- Dean Terasaki of Eye Lounge praised the city's intent but called the October First Friday timeline unrealistic.
- Wayne Rainey, founder of Holga's and monOrchid, stated Roosevelt Row is an entertainment district, not an art district.
Entities
Artists
- Dean Terasaki
- Dana Johnson
- James B. Hunt
- NXOEED
- Cindy Dach
- Greg Esser
- Wayne Rainey
- Catrina Kahler
- John Logan
- Daniel Mills
- Kimber Lanning
- Hugo Medina
- Such Styles
- Tony Tolliver, Jr.
- Kevin Dickey
- Kepi
- Lynn Trimble
Institutions
- Eye Lounge
- Modified Arts
- Alwun House
- Artlink
- Downtown Phoenix Inc.
- Roosevelt Row CDC
- Roosevelt Row Community Development Corporation
- Local First Arizona
- Holga's
- monOrchid
- Carly's Bistro
- Southwest Contemporary
- KTAR
- 12News
- AZCentral
- NCAA
Locations
- Phoenix
- United States
- Roosevelt Row
- Roosevelt Street
- Mesa
- Grand Avenue
- Melrose District
- East Valley
- Roosevelt Historic District
- Fourth Street