Disabled-Veteran Food Vendors Subject to the General Business Law—“Food” Is Encompassed by the Statutory Terms “Goods” and “Merchandise”

The First Department determined that the terms “goods” and “merchandise” in General Business Law 35-a encompass “food.”  Therefore the General Business Law regulates New York City’s disabled-veteran food vendors .   Most of the violations at issue in the case related to the number of vendors permitted within a block and the related refusal to move when requested. What constituted a “block face” within the meaning of the related regulations was addressed in depth.  Matter of Rossi v New York City Dept. of Parks & Recreation, 2015 NY Slip Op 03047, 1st Dept 4-9-15