So I run a very small gift shop in a town which is mostly financially supported by travelers/tourists. I hand make a lot of my items, and have built the business up from nothing. My friend however stops through when she is in this part of the state. She travels full time in a bus, so she carries all of her goods and such with her. But she only rolls through during major holidays and times when business is at its best. When she stops through she places all of her inventory in front of my place, and attempts to pull my customers in before they even get to my entrance. I don’t want to be greedy, or discouraged her from making and selling souvenirs and whatnot. But I rely on my income from my shop to support me. How should I handle this situation? Should I just let it go and lose 2 weeks of typical income? Or should I ask her to move away from my store front? I’ve spent a significant amount of time landscaping and making it eye catching, and I feel like she is taking advantage of the hard work I’ve done, and attempting to give the impression that it’s her place. I don’t know what to do, honestly.
This year, for the holiday season, you arrange for an eye catcher in the spot where she usually parks her van. Or you get someone who is a true friend/family to man a stand there with hot coco or gluh wine, or whatever works where you are. Or spread your business outwards, and meet your customers outside with your goods. ‘Friend’ rolls in with her van, redirect her somewhere else. ‘From now on, we’re taking the spot in front of the store ourselves. But there’s plenty of other spots in town. Hope to see you tonight, to catch up’