STOCKTON, Calif. — For Sam Dempsey, walking along midtown Stockton's Yosemite Street Village feels like being home.
"It's definitely creative, inspiring, and beautiful," said Dempsey of the one-block business district nestled beneath tall trees in a quiet and historic neighborhood. "All around there is something for everyone all day, every day here on Yosemite Street."
When events like monthly night markets take over the sidewalks, the charming district turns into a comforting hub of shoppers and artists.
"It just makes me beam with pride," said Dempsey. "It is just immensely more busy and it is always all new folks which is super, super cool."
Those crowds were supposed to come out again next week as another Night Market event was planned, but now that won't be happening.
"Our night market coming up for August 9 has been postponed due to the fact that the city asked us to start submitting permits and other fees," said founder and president of Yosemite Street Village, Miguel Guillen. "Some of these fees, we were unaware of."
Guillen says they were asked to pay more than $700 worth of fees and deposits, only required now after six years of hosting the monthly summer event series.
"There's no guidance. It's just 'Here's an application, please sign,'" said Guillen.
Some of the applications were required to be filed more than a month in advance, but by the time city officials told organizers about the rules in an email two weeks ago, it was too late.
"It's just a little bit disheartening, it's just a little bit discouraging," said Dempsey hearing the controversy.
For Guillen, who volunteers his time and money to put on the events, the pushback from City Hall was more than disappointing.
"It was a little bit of a slap in the face," said Guillen. "Because we've been working on our Yosemite Village for about seven years."
In a statement, the city of Stockton said the fees are not new.
"Our Special Events folks recently became aware that events were being held by blocking off parking stalls. The events are drawing a growing number of attendees, which may require street closures for safety, as pedestrians and vehicles were using the roadway, and possibly fire permits/inspections for food vendors," the statement said. "There are requirements for events with vendors and the types of activities they have been hosting; requirements include permits, insurance, and inspections. These are not new fees; they have been holding the events without proper permitting."
Despite the setback, community organizers say they're not backing down now. In fact, they're getting ready for other events in the future including a National Night Out event Tuesday.
"Next week we're looking to speak with the City of Stockton to figure out ways to collaborate and utilize Yosemite Street Village as a platform," said Guillen. "It feels warm inside just to know that people come out to our Yosemite Village."
Community members say they're grateful for the volunteer-driven efforts to preserve and improve their home away from home.
"Hopefully we can bring it back as soon as possible because it is truly one of the most fun nights," said Dempsey. "You just feel the sense of comfort when you even just pull onto the street. I feel like it's just kind of like, this is a place I want to be and that people want me to be at."
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