Business owners charmed by, supportive of street merchants

Last summer, local street musician Alex Mysliwicz spent his nights sleeping in a tent behind his friend’s house. Mysliwicz said he sacrificed a comfortable living arrangement to do what he truly loves: perform.

Mysliwicz said he tries to perform his music for people as much as possible, whether it’s in a venue or on the sidewalk of Kirkwood Avenue.

“I think everyone should be able to do what they want,” Mysliwicz said. “This is like our playground; our adult playground.”

Kirkwood Avenue has a tendency to attract street performers and merchants, Mysliwicz said.

He said he thinks the venders and artists add to the “bohemian” culture of Bloomington.

“What we’re doing is really edgy, and no one is going to stop us,” Mysliwicz said. “It’s beautiful.”

A local painter, who wished to be referred to only as Tom, agreed with Mysliwicz. He said he fears this culture might be fading.

Tom said a lot of the sitting places near Kirkwood Avenue have been removed, which has limited opportunities for socializing and places for merchants to go.

“There has been a big shift toward luxury in recent years,” Tom said. “Many of the grassroots have disappeared.”

Street merchants have had problems with law enforcement and shop owners asking them to move away from the area, Tom said.

IU senior Kathleen Clark experienced these problems firsthand while running the Urban Market at People’s Park.

Despite having a permit, Clark said she was approached several times by police officers due to complaints.

“I felt heckled because they kept coming, even though they knew I had a permit,” she said. “But they were at least friendly to me.”

Tom said he once had his art displayed near Kirkwood Avenue when a property owner questioned him because one of his tenants complained, but the landlord seemed to support what he was doing.

Marybeth Kelsey, owner of Moon Stones Jewelry, said she’s supportive of the street merchants but can understand why some shop owners might feel uneasy about their presence.

“I have to pay rent and employees, but they can sit out there and sell things without fixed cost,” she said. “I think it really adds charm to the city, though.”

TD’s CDs and LPs manager Michael Anderson said he thinks some of the less-talented performers are a little annoying. Other than that, he doesn’t have a problem with them, he said.

“It’s good that kids are out writing and practicing,” Anderson said. “I think sometime down the road they’ll look back and be slightly embarrassed.”

Anderson said the vendors and performers make the street seem more lively, which can be good for business.

Like Mysliwicz, the artists and vendors on Kirkwood Avenue take pride in their work and enjoy being able to share what they love with everyone.

“It just brightens my day,” Clark said. “All the people who are out on the street showing who they are, I just love it.”