Vendors Bid For Business During World Meeting Of Families In Philadelphia
By Mike DeNardo
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Vendors -- licensed and unlicensed -- are bidding for the business of delegates to the World Meeting of Families.
"We have saint bracelets and pope bracelets! They're two for $10!"
Vendor Ruthie Coutinho of Wilmington has a prime location on Arch Street in front of the Convention Center.
"This is something I'm passionate about, because it's about my Catholic faith, and the pope's here."
She said she'd sold 50 bracelets in 45 minutes. She's licensed by the World Meeting of Families. Lamont Branch isn't. He's relegated to the end of the block, under the construction walkway at Broad Street. Branch wasn't selling many pope T-shirts.
"I have a regular spot but it's not in Center City. But even people that have regular spots in Center City can't set up."
Branch says he believes local vendors are getting short shrift.