As a small business owner in downtown Fargo for the past five years, I have grown to dread the annual Street Fair. Whether it's our retail store or now our restaurant, the economic impact is the same every year-losses adding up in the thousands of dollars.

The city center becomes nearly unnavigable to our customers who would normally patronize our businesses. Not to mention the boondoggle of trying to find parking.

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I get to tell my employees that their paychecks won't add up as I won't be needing their help. As far as the so-called economic engine that is the Street Fair, all of that money gets packed up with the tents to head on down the road with the transient vendors to their next stop on the summer street fair tour while your local business community winds up on the losing end.

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Bernath is the owner of BernBaum's and MIDMODMADHAUS.