Sidewalk vendors offer an alternative to usual downtown shopping

By Sarah Grace Smith

Corner of Broad and Jackson:

Downtown shoppers looking for University of Georgia-themed art can visit Michael Davenport on the corner of Broad and Jackson Streets. The artist lost his arms in an electrical accident at age 13, but he hasn’t let this set him back, as he draws using his mouth and markers. He specializes in anything UGA, from football helmets to Uga, but he also takes commissions. Davenport can be found at his spot outside the Broad Street Bar & Grill most weekends, and especially on game days. His work varies in price, but on a game day they go for $60 to $70.

Corner of Broad Street and College Avenue:

Football fans in need of a little sparkle for their game day ensemble can stop by Marlene Soles’ jewelry stand. Red and black jewelry, ranging from necklaces to bracelets, cover her three tables. For those a little more practical minded, she also sells sunglasses, one pair for $10 or two pairs for $15. On Friday afternoons, Soles sets up shop on the corner of Broad Street and College Avenue, outside Starbucks.

Corner of College Avenue and Clayton Street:

For an alternative to the usual red and black wares offered by downtown vendors, shoppers can check out Shake on the Move, a jewelry booth on the corner of College Avenue and Clayton Street. Although the owner, Shake, brings out some UGA-themed items around game day, his tables are usually spread with whimsical rings, necklaces and bracelets depicting stars, mushrooms, birds and fairies. The shop is usually on the road during the week, but you can find Shake and his earthy jewelry outside Heery’s on the weekends.

Edited by Ashley Strickland

Outdoor vending provides an opportunity to do what you love

Above, Shake, of Shake on the Move, keeps his jewerly straight on his table downtown.

Below, Michael Davenport prepares to begin work on another drawing.

Sarah Grace Smith

Glittering jewelry covers tables; freshly drawn pictures line the pavement. Red and black is everywhere in preparation for the big football game the next day. Those who walk by may glance at what vendors have to offer; others have no time to spare, even for art on the sidewalk.

On the corner of Broad and Jackson Streets, Michael Davenport has taken up his usual post outside the Broad Street Bar & Grill. Sweat drips off the end of the artist’s nose as he bends over a portrait of Uga and adds a few more silver spikes to his collar. It is a hot September Friday in Athens, and he’s getting ready for game day, when he said hundreds of people will troop by and look at his art. Many will stop to buy one of his University of Georgia-inspired pictures.

“People have heard of me all over by word of mouth,” Davenport said. “I’m a celebrity here.”

Davenport is one of many sidewalk vendors in Athens who take advantage of downtown foot traffic by selling their wares from tables and carts rather than established stores.

Marker grasped between his teeth, he adds more detail to his picture, then pauses to dab the sweat from his face. This unusual way of drawing came about because of an electrical accident at the age of 13 that left him without arms. Thirty years later, Davenport is doing well with his art.
He slowly taught himself to write, and then to draw, using his mouth.

“I started off drawing Uga,” Davenport said.

Now, he draws everyday. Even when he’s not in his usual spot, Davenport will do artwork at home. His first official artwork was done on a bar napkin, and it went to Vince Dooley, the renowned University of Georgia football coach. Now Davenport’s drawings sell for $60 to $70 on game days, but he’ll let you have one for $50 or less on other days of the week.

At Lafonda Dogs, Travis Ragsdale, a sophomore history major from Norcross, Ga., waits in line for lunch. He is one of many who patronize this sidewalk stand. He comes here for lunch every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. He says the location, on Jackson Street near UGA’s main library, is the main motivation behind his eating there. His other options are few. There are other advantages to lunch at Lafonda Dogs, too.

“The price is fair,” Ragsdale said. “It’s better than going down to the SLC.”

The food at Lafonda Dogs is much more worth the price. He likes to get the chicken sandwich or chicken sausage. Customers like Ragsdale give Lafonda Dogs steady weekday business.

But game day is when the competition really begins, and T-shirt sellers and hot dog vendors take all the best spots downtown. Because she’s there ahead of the Saturday crowds, Marlene Soles is able to claim the coveted corner of Broad Street and College Avenue on Friday afternoon.

Her tables sparkle with red and black necklaces and shiny pairs of sunglasses. Sunglasses are Soles’ big sellers on game days.

“I used to work with my brother,” Soles said. “He was an optician, so I know how to pick them out.”

That’s why she got into this business 10 years ago. She needed a job, and she knew about jewelry, so she started selling it at events. Sole has been selling game-day finery downtown for the past three years. The past year has been a little different, though.

“Business is okay,” she said, “but not as good as before the recession.”

But Soles doesn’t just depend on her downtown sales. She also travels to area festivals and schools selling her jewelry. Her range covers anywhere within 100 miles of Stone Mountain.

Another downtown jewelry vendor, Shake, also supplements his Athens sales with those he makes while traveling. Shake comes back to Athens on the weekends, but he doesn’t call his business “Shake on the Move” for nothing. Most of his weeks are spent on college campuses, ranging from the Southeast to the Midwest. He has had a very different year from Soles.

“I’ve had my best year ever this past year,” Shake said. “On college campuses I’m swarmed. The only thing that hurts is the rain.”

He gets a vacation day whenever it rains. With all the rain lately, Shake said, he got a three-week vacation. This inconvenience is just part of what he does.

It is a welcome change from what he used to do, though. He was in the clothing business in Atlanta for 20 years and had an entire chain of stores in the area. But 12 years ago he decided he needed to downsize.

“I wanted to be more outdoors,” he said. “Not as confined.”

Shake certainly is free to move about at his stand on the corner of College Avenue and Clayton Street. His tables are laid with rings bearing images of fairies and mushrooms; above, gold and silver owl necklaces dangle from hooks. Shake sells one girl a pair of earrings, and then looks for bare places on the table. He clearly enjoys the space and freedom his outdoor stand allows him.

That is what unites the sidewalk vendors of downtown Athens, a passion and love for what they do. It isn’t just about the money; it is about the place and the people.

“I love it,” said Soles. “I love talking to people and meeting people.”

edited by Ashley Strickland