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Food vendors riled up over new overall revenue fee that's in addition to booth rental cost
ABC11 News • • business
Key Points:
- North Carolina State Fair vendors are now required to pay a 15% fee on their overall revenue in addition to the standard booth rent, a new cost that could affect prices for fairgoers.
- Isaac Horton, owner of Oak City Fish and Chips, decided not to return to the fair after six years due to the significant added expense, estimating the fee would cost him $25,000 to $30,000 on top of his usual $4,000 booth rent.
- Fair officials stated the percentage-based fee is one of the lowest in the industry and that revenue from the fee will fund fairground improvements and cover rising operational and safety costs.
- Approximately two dozen vendors did not return this year, with some possibly influenced by the new fee, and vendors may respond by raising prices, lowering profits, or reducing product quality.
- Horton warned that increased vendor costs are likely to lead to higher food prices for customers, estimating a $20 item could rise to $25-$27 this year.
