Food Trucks To Be Legislated Out of Existence?

[icarus]

Icarus...Disney isn't worried in part because they are completely revamping Downtown Disney (into Disney Springs)....so all of the retailers will have new spaces and likely new deals...meaning they will know about the food trucks from the get-go

What's your point? Disney is trying to build a vibrant district and everyone feels food trucks play a role in that?

The retailers aren't worried about food trucks because they are confident in their product and what they are offering the consumer. 

[tufsu1]

^ there is no question that food trucks add to vibrancy...the issue/concern has always been about competition and what some (not me) feel is an unfair advantage for the trucks.

You noted in a post above that isn't a problem at Downtown Disney, because the food trucks offer things the current dining establishments don't.

[JaxByDefault]

Again ... the B & M restaurants in the core opened in the core, expecting competition to be limited to "fixed" B & M's having the potential to open in the area.  Their business plan did not prepare for the expectation that mobile panzer food truck units would invade the core, and be allowed free reign in it ..... killing the B & M's one by one by starving them out.

For legislation to allow excessive numbers of these food truck panzer units  into the core, and too close to the B & M's, would be an act of treason against the B & M's, who've done their best to occupy fixed locations in the core, thus providing a plus for building occupancy, and thus a nudge toward revitalization of the core. 

Brick and mortars opened in the core expecting only competition from other brick and mortars? Food trucks have been around forever. It seems that many restaurant owners are upset that food trucks are increasingly popular. It's like opening a cupcake shop and then getting mad that cronuts became trendy. Wouldn't restaurants that offer a product that people want at reasonable prices still do well? I love food trucks, but sometimes, its cold/raining/hot or I just feel like dining inside.

I'm not sure I like the idea of food truck parks just because they'll likely be put somewhere inconvenient for pedestrians. Most of the other proposed regulations -- especially those having to do with limiting hours -- are patently ridiculous. (Does anyone go to a food truck expecting it to have restrooms within 100 ft?)

I get that there is concern that some places may close and leave empty space, but what's not to say better and more frequented establishments won't take their place. There's plenty of room in core for choice (even when those choices are on each other's doorsteps.)

[RiversideLoki]

So, wait. Ron, are you for food trucks, or completely against them in the urban core? Or do you just want to limit the amount of them in the core? Because I'm kinda getting mixed messages, here.

[Steve]

Bottom line is that with any business, unless the food truck parks and literally blocks the front door from entry, competition should be encouraged. I'm not in the restaraunt business but my business certainly has competition, and you deal with it and learn to adapt.

Part of what makes districts vibrant is the competition from each other, making each business strive to be better.

[thekillingwax]

I wouldn't even factor Downtown Disney into any equation. The food trucks there are all run and operated by disney. They're not really like food trucks at all, more like disney fast food on wheels. The stuff isn't bad but it's a very sterile and safe tourist experience for folks from BFE, Alabama to tell their kin they lived dangerously and ate from one of them food trucks they've seen on food network. It's very calculated and planned situation, they're not competing with the brick/mortar, they essentially are brick and mortar but on wheels. I have the feeling that once a permanent spot for them is opened, they'll rarely move or pack up.

[thelakelander]

Ron probably wouldn't like my ideal locations for food truck parks.  I'd let 10-20 of them line centralized spaces like Hemming or the courthouse square without second thought. The idea would be to activate dead spaces.  Sticking them out near I-95 or in Talleyrand, because a ham sandwich shop is afraid of competition or believes it's entitled to a certain area of downtown would be ridiculous.

[ronchamblin]

So, wait. Ron, are you for food trucks, or completely against them in the urban core? Or do you just want to limit the amount of them in the core? Because I'm kinda getting mixed messages, here.

I believe that food trucks would be good in the core .... offering a variety much needed for the consumers in the area.  And too, if the momentum increases, the food trucks will not only encourage workers to remain in the core during lunch, but the trucks might draw people in from outside the core.

Perhaps the time has come for experimentation.  Let the trucks set up in the core, perhaps with only limited restrictions, and let's see what happens.  The market will control the number of food trucks in the core.  As for the locations allowed .. give them freedom.  The market will decide if the location is right.

As for the times of operation .. why be concerned.  The market will take care of this too.

The only action for assistance to the B & M, might be to  provide restrooms or toilets in certain areas, as the B & M should not be required to have restroom facilities for non-customers.

[rutabaga]

So, wait. Ron, are you for food trucks, or completely against them in the urban core? Or do you just want to limit the amount of them in the core? Because I'm kinda getting mixed messages, here.

I believe that food trucks would be good in the core .... offering a variety much needed for the consumers in the area.  And too, if the momentum increases, the food trucks will not only encourage workers to remain in the core during lunch, but the trucks might draw people in from outside the core.

Perhaps the time has come for experimentation.  Let the trucks set up in the core, perhaps with only limited restrictions, and let's see what happens.  The market will control the number of food trucks in the core.  As for the locations allowed .. give them freedom.  The market will decide if the location is right.

As for the times of operation .. why be concerned.  The market will take care of this too.

The only action for assistance to the B & M, might be to  provide restrooms or toilets in certain areas, as the B & M should not be required to have restroom facilities for non-customers.

Looks like a slight change in position if you ask me. 

[Steve]

Dangerous food truck sighting:


Not one, but two evil food trucks right outside of Black Sheep. Downright shocked that Allan and Jon aren't out here protesting their existence.

Or....dare I say it....can food trucks and B&M establishments coexist?

[thelakelander]

Maybe Allan and Jon are too emotional to rationally understand how food trucks will destroy urban life as we know it.

[tufsu1]

Dangerous food truck sighting:


Not one, but two evil food trucks right outside of Black Sheep. Downright shocked that Allan and Jon aren't out here protesting their existence.

or perhaps its a special event

[Dog Walker]

Dangerous food truck sighting:


Not one, but two evil food trucks right outside of Black Sheep. Downright shocked that Allan and Jon aren't out here protesting their existence.

or perhaps its a special event

It was O'Brother's annual St. Patrick's Day street party also sponsored by the 5 Points Merchants Assn.  There is no way that the five restaurants in that block between Park and Oak could have fed the 2000+ people who were there.  Hawkers even had a booth set up serving food.

Even a little rain couldn't dampen the enthusiasm of that crowd.  Good fun!

[RyeRyeRocco]

This will perhaps be a little more risky than the food truck, and will perhaps require the bravest of these heroes, but it will be more challenging to the spirit, and will certainly fill one more space or building in the core -- something the core sorely needs .. something directly related to a journey toward vibrancy. 

I am sorry to come in a month later on this but WTF. "the bravest of heroes"?? I operate a truck and I have done so at leaving a great job to go into business for me. It's what I chose. You banter around this topic like you know best; offering little to no insight. I believe somewhere on Page 25 you have finally given up and accepted trucks.

Personally, I am appalled that you think a B/M is of a different ilk then a truck. It is almost one in the same in business aspects. You hire, you sell, you pay taxes. "Bravest of heroes" is just horse$%(t.

[ronchamblin]

On page 24, I gave a summary of my opinion, as massaged and influenced over the last few pages on the subject.

My posts are meant to offer opinions, and options to thinking on subjects that interest me.  The discussions on this forum offer excellent opportunities for exercising our abilities to exchange ideas about subjects of interest.  As we argue, we improve both our thinking and our writing.  We attempt to persuade and enlighten others.  We attempt to learn from others.  And we usually attempt to do so with calm.   

I observe some individuals change their minds during the discussions, being persuaded by what others have said, but also as a consequence of their own contemplation.  To change one's thinking is usually to improve it.

The emotions shown, as in your case, are good in that it shows how serious you take the subject and the ideas of others.  It also shows, in this case, that you are probably assuming something about me and my thinking that is erroneous.

During the food truck discussion, I attempted to convey some factors about the debate which I believed had been absent.  To introduce aspects and points, some of which might be apposed to others, is my decision. I like to offer points that I believe might affect the consensus.  Although a point or factor affecting a scenario might be valid, the weight of it might be in dispute.

When I say that ... "food trucks, if not controlled in the core as to population, hours, and distance from brick and mortar establishments -- will gradually work against the objective of occupying buildings in the core, and against the long term goal of achieving core vibrancy", I only wish to offer this as a factor to consider.  The "degree" of this pressure is unknown to me.  It might be inconsequential, or it might be considerable. 

My intention was to introduce the idea for consideration.  Usually, some individuals assume that I give great weight to a factor, when for the most part, my purpose was only to introduce the idea of it.  Surely most would want anyone to at least introduce an idea affecting a scenario, instead of remaining silent about it.

I have said that..  "Brick and mortar restaurants invest and open with the assumption and trust that the competition will be limited to areas of close proximity".  Some will say that this statement has no validity .. that it has no weight.  My objective was to introduced the idea of it. The weight given to it is open to others.  Obviously those food trucks wanting to encroach close to these established brick and mortars want to give the statement very little weight or validity.  I will guess that some brick and mortar's will give it great weight.  I enjoy offering options to thinking on issues.

Keep On Truckin.