(http://images.quickblogcast.com/81087-70991/FoodTruckCourt4.JPG?a=43)
Fort LauderdaleAnother example of national innovative urban revitalization trends being held back in Jacksonville. Allowing food truck courts on some of our surface parking lots and streets with a large amount of vacant buildings would be a pretty easy and cheap method of stimulating pedestrian traffic in dead zones. Its time for Jacksonville to wake up and realize the only entity holding DT back is ourselves.
Quote
In Austin, Texas, food trucks and trailers are a way of life, serving everything from sushi to gourmet doughnuts.
As part of its dining coverage, New York magazine names the city’s best 25 food trucks each year.
In Orlando, a dozen or so food trucks gather on certain nights for a food truck bazaar.
And many cities have phone apps that help people keep track of what food trucks are where.
In Jacksonville, the mobile food action is just a bit slower. A few trucks here, a couple of trailers there.
Drew and Curt Cavins, the brothers who own Mossfire Grill and O’Brothers Irish Pub in Riverside, gave it a shot with their Bus’In Your Chops food truck this year. But it didn’t last more than a couple of months.
“We just didn’t get enough customers,†Drew Cavins said. “And the city kept running us off.â€
He said the city told them to leave one downtown parking lot during the day. Then they had to leave an area behind a Riverside nightclub because neighbors complained about the noise from their bus.
“We just gave up on it,†he said. “I know it would work if that’s really what you wanted to do.
full article: http://jacksonville.com/business/your-money/2011-07-14/story/food-truck-craze-faces-roadblocks-around-jacksonville
This city ,by it's backwards leadership, has always been 20 years behind the rest of the country...this is no suprise. It will take forward thinking individuals that make the real decisions for this city to catch up so some cities that are much smaller than we are. These restaurants that are bitching about this are just pissed off that their food isn't as good as some guy in a truck. Personally I'll eat from a tomain wagon if theres a line....i had some of my best foods from the back of a lady's truck in puerto rico,....yummy.
The legislation is 2010-856 and the same can be said for the waterways as it relates to a transient vendor ban. Councilwoman Denise Lee was and maybe is still chair of a special subcomittee that was seeking amendments to the legislation. Councilman Redman was a chair of one of those special subcommittees and I have been reporting to him as a volunteer participant. I don't see that changing.
With a new Mayor and city council and now that councilman Redman is the chair of Waterways an exemption to exclude the waterways from the transient vendor ban may be made. The Jacksonville Waterways Commission is in an excellant position to offer such a resolution
Lets get to Work!
Visit Jacksonville or
Don't Visit Jacksonville!
Next Waterways Commission meeting Aug. 10 at 9:30 council chambers. I plan on being there and my presentation should more than highlight to the Commission that an exemption should be made to the legislation that would exempt the Waterways of our St. Johns River our American Heritage River.
Be concerned and keep score.
I love the food trucks.
Not a shock. I watch Food Network and see these incredible looking food trucks all over the country and our city runs the few willing to do it in this town out of business.
Maybe I missed something but what is the roadblock that Food Trucks face in Jacksonville right now?
Is it the 300 foot distance from a "brick and mortar" restaurant? Permits?
Getting the proper permits should be required for all businesses especially ones that sell food.
Not sure what the city is doing wrong here.
Seems it's more about the lack of demand for food trucks than anything...
Having said that we would love to host any Food truck in our "courtyard" that is reliable and produces a fair priced, kick butt product that goes well with beer. You can "eat what you kill".
Any takers?
The article stated that there is a bill before Jacksonville City Council that would prohibit a food truck(or any transient business) from setting up within a mile of a permanent business selling similar products. That is insane. It would make it nearly impossible to have a food truck in this town.
Oh Jacksonville will gladly issue you the permits $$$ but no help when you get citations trying to park the trucks. Just ask The Cupcake Truck from Let Them Eat Cake and the taco truck from Mossifre. Mossfire had theirs less than 6 months. It was a beauty. He couldn't win. No other restaurants were in the vicinity. Plus the profit versus paying the fees, staffing, food costs, insurance...etc. Plus neighbors don't take kindly to you storing the truck at your home :)
Quote from: undergroundgourmet on July 14, 2011, 10:18:25 AM
Oh Jacksonville will gladly issue you the permits $$$ but no help when you get citations trying to park the trucks. Just ask The Cupcake Truck from Let Them Eat Cake and the taco truck from Mossifre. Mossfire had theirs less than 6 months. It was a beauty. He couldn't win. No other restaurants were in the vicinity. Plus the profit versus paying the fees, staffing, food costs, insurance...etc. Plus neighbors don't take kindly to you storing the truck at your home :)
What were the citations for?
http://jacksonville.com/business/your-money/2011-07-14/story/food-truck-craze-faces-roadblocks-around-jacksonville
Quote from: undergroundgourmet on July 14, 2011, 10:56:07 AM
http://jacksonville.com/business/your-money/2011-07-14/story/food-truck-craze-faces-roadblocks-around-jacksonville
Not to sound like a smart a$$ but being "run off" by the city and getting a citation are two different things.
I'll ask again but what were Mossfire and let them Eat Cake cited for?
Quote from: copperfiend on July 14, 2011, 10:13:11 AM
The article stated that there is a bill before Jacksonville City Council that would prohibit a food truck(or any transient business) from setting up within a mile of a permanent business selling similar products. That is insane. It would make it nearly impossible to have a food truck in this town.
So can we next expect that new restaurants will have to be at least 2 miles apart? Damn, we sure wouldn't want to create an atmosphere of free enterprise and competition in this 'bold new city of the south.'OCKLAWAHA
I go to Tinsletown and see seven or eight fast food restaurants, four sushi restaurants, three sub shops, two delis, three wing places all within walking distance of each other. But god forbid a food truck wanted to operate in that area.
I'm looking for investors now for my Mobile Sushi Truck that I plan on operating throughout Riverside & 5-Points.
Driving You Crazy Rolls
Anyone?
This town is SO backwards it makes me crazy sometimes! What can we do to protest the proposed bill? Write our council person?
It's competition - plain and simple. A group of business doesn't like competition so they use the forces of government to make sure any competition is wiped out. That's really about it. Some people can call it protectionism while others call it socialism but mostly it's about people who already make a comfortable living running a restaurant trying to protect their turf in any way possible so they don't have to "work" to change their business model.
With that being said, there are good arguments for a ban but I haven't heard anyone mention them yet. Most those arguments really don't apply for Jacksonville FL too.
Well said. I think there is a need for outdoor vendors. some of us are struggling 2 story homeowners who just can't afford to sidle up to the bar and lay down $20's at some regular watering hole. nor do we feel the need to see and be seen.
I will never forget working in Atlantic City for several month's and experiencing the competition between the mobile vendors and the locals.....believe me the customer won big time....everyone was competing to make the heaviest calzone.
and NOBODY bitched to the customers about rising food prices..(local owners take note..and quit looking at your rising profit AP or whatever concrete business plan you are sticking to from 2003) Times changed for the worse and people are cutting back.
If you are nervous about a mobile vendor...maybe you should be looking at this not so new way to get food to people without Formality.
And Yes, in this case indoors is formality.
Maybe partying people want to get outside and eat for a change.?
Intuition,
I followed this subject a few months ago and from what I remember the city did not want them on city property. In addition to that limitation you also have the brick and mortar restaurants not wanting them nearby (which I understand) so it soon becomes harder to get a good location with steady business for the truck/bus.
My point is they were routinely hassled and are another example of the city not being able to deal with a new idea. Thus, the city council now wants you to be a mile away (I think that is right but could be wrong on this detail).
Essentially the city is saying "We don't want gourmet food trucks in our town".
And by the way, that was one nice bus!
This is a great mobile truck food blog I have followed for some years now. It really illustrates the trend that is happening all over the nation and the really cool food these vendors are coming up with.
http://www.foodcartsportland.com/ (http://www.foodcartsportland.com/)
In this present economic situation, I would think entrepreneurship would be promoted. That is what these food trucks represent. They are start ups for foodies and chefs to get their products made on a small scale and distributed out into the public. The competition between them has given rise to some wonderful fresh and gourmet menus. Many are even using fresh local ingredients, which feeds further into the local economy.
If City Council votes against this type of small business spirit then they really represent the interests of corporation and not the "average american" they so want us all to believe in their campaign ads. This is a real example of an entrepreneur trend sweeping the nation.
Yep. But while I'm quite aware of what's possible, as are quite a few other people on the site, I think there's still a stigma attached to the foodtruck in Jax - that it's nothing more than another hot dog cart. Which is true, to some exent, but with the law as is and what is being proposed, there's no foodie or chef in their right mind that would even think about starting this venture.
There's a few that have been very successful, and I think that they're finding their days numbered as well.
I guess the benefit of having a mobile food truck is if business gets shutdown here due to rules and regs, they could always drive to savannah or orlando or daytona...
There are several that are successful too. Allowing an ordinance to pass that doesn't allow equal opportunity for them puts them out of business before they even try. We need rules and regs that allow those who want to give it a shot equal opportunity.
Every city has to start somewhere and if a few trucks around town can demonstrate to customers what can be done beyond hot dogs then more will show up. That is why we were starting to see a little trend here in Jax, some had started and opened people's minds up and then more tried. It is hard enough to start a biz like this and attract customers without the city putting restrictions on where you can be. If the city wants to do anything to help these guys succeed, the city should be promoting "food pods" on vacant land so they can cluster - that would attract more customers.
The city can do plenty to stimulate their growth instead of inhibiting it.
I was told at Monroe's Smokehouse BBQ (which I love) they were trying to use the mobile unit to gauge the possibility for a brick and mortar place in downtown. Hard to do that plan if you can't park and serve the people of downtown.
QuoteJuly 14, 2011
Outlaws Make Better Lunches
By ZACH BROOKS
THE past few years have been a golden age for street food in New York City. You could get just about anything from a food truck in Midtown Manhattan â€" from waffles and schnitzel to halal chicken and lamb over rice â€" despite the fact that street vending is for all intents and purposes illegal there.
Last month police officers in Midtown cracked down and asked many trucks to leave their spots. Everyone is blaming a court case in May, in which a New York State Supreme Court justice reinforced a regulation saying that no “vendor, hawker or huckster†can sell merchandise from a vehicle parked in a metered space. But although enforcement was scattershot, that regulation has been used against Midtown food trucks for decades.
The crackdown’s real catalyst was the recent explosion of high-end food trucks in Midtown. For the first time, blocks were host to three or four trucks at once. And instead of the old-school food vendors, who are often immigrants used to navigating the gray areas of the business, most of these trucks were operated by a new breed of entrepreneur looking to capitalize on what (falsely) appeared to be the hippest, most profitable trend in the food business.
Food truck regulations have always been purposefully vague and selectively enforced in New York City. The government does not want to strip the city of one of its treasures (can you imagine a New York without hot dogs?) nor can it fully legalize street vending, because opening up hundreds of rent-free spots would damage the real estate economy.
So street vendors and the city long ago struck a tacit deal: the city allows vendors to sell food but reserves the right to kick them out of practically any spot at any time, and vendors keep their heads down, careful not to upset their relationships with the nearby brick-and-mortar businesses, with the police, and with each other. When disputes come up, vendors compromise or move.
Many of the new food trucks’ operators have ignored these unwritten rules. Some early entrants onto the scene, like the Treats Truck and Wafels & Dinges, spent months cultivating spots and relationships, which allowed them to settle into areas that were previously unoccupied. But many new trucks have taken the quicker route, parking where others have found success rather than trying to create a space of their own.
As a result brick-and-mortar business owners who tolerated one truck out front one or two days a week started seeing more and more each day, and eventually got fed up and called the police. Even as an ardent food truck supporter, I find it hard not to sympathize. They pay high rents, only to see food trucks parking free on their doorsteps. There is no denying that the increase in food trucks is unsustainable.
Some are tempted to look to other cities, like Los Angeles, arguably the birthplace of the high-end food truck trend, for solutions. But it is facing an almost identical situation. Mexican vendors called loncheros spent years working out a compromise with the city that allowed them to sell food without interfering with brick-and-mortar businesses, but a wave of fancy food trucks parking in high traffic areas led to a similar crackdown.
Portland, Ore., which has become a mecca for street-food lovers, rents out spots in privately owned parking lots to vendors. But those food trucks operate more like restaurants than street vendors. New York is trying something similar in a Queens parking lot and under the High Line, an elevated park in Manhattan, but it won’t do much good for trucks or lunchers in the city’s more crowded areas.
Some vendors and food-truck fans are circulating a petition asking the city to change the parking rule. But even if it does, other regulations still make most Midtown parking spots off limits. As tempting as it is to try to change New York City’s laws and establish clear rules for vendors, it’s not likely to happen. And it shouldn’t.
Vendors and fans are actually better served by the status quo. New York’s street food scene is unique and vibrant precisely because it exists in that legal gray area. Traditionally only immigrant and small mom-and-pop businesses were willing to risk the city’s intermittent crackdowns. The vague rules have long deterred any passionless big businesses looking for the next lucrative franchise. Turn street spots into legal real estate controlled by the city, and it will be only a matter of time before street food becomes just as bland and generic as that of any fast-food restaurant in Midtown.
So instead of fighting to change the laws, vendors who are passionately committed to their food trucks should do what street hawkers in New York have always done after big crackdowns like this one: wait for it to end and then return to Midtown bit by bit, in a way that is respectful to the rent-paying businesses. Or ditch the truck and open a brick-and-mortar business. It’s the way New York street food has endured for the past 150 years, and the only way it will be here for 150 more.
Zach Brooks runs the Web site Midtown Lunch.
Source: The New York Times
Food trucks are the new cakes/cupcakes. I'm hoping the next big goofy foodie trend involves people walking around with backpacks and extruders and you pay them a buck to squirt some weird mystery goop into your face.
Quote from: thekillingwax on July 17, 2011, 07:51:31 PM
Food trucks are the new cakes/cupcakes. I'm hoping the next big goofy foodie trend involves people walking around with backpacks and extruders and you pay them a buck to squirt some weird mystery goop into your face.
I already pay for that on weekends. *rim shot*
But that reminds me of Starbucks' April fools joke they did this year: http://www.starbucks.com/blog/introducing-starbucks-mobile-pour
Quote from: thekillingwax on July 17, 2011, 07:51:31 PM
Food trucks are the new cakes/cupcakes. I'm hoping the next big goofy foodie trend involves people walking around with backpacks and extruders and you pay them a buck to squirt some weird mystery goop into your face.
I thought self serve frozen yogurt was the new cupcake?
Quote
Rolling restaurants: Some cities floor it, others tap the brakes
Food trucks spice up the metropolitan menu, but some earthbound eateries are crying foul
By Kari Huus Reporter
SEATTLE â€" Craving a gourmet meal on the fly? Food trucks plying American streets are delivering increasingly varied and sophisticated fare to the urban palate. Mobile kitchens offer hamburgers made from grass-fed cows, artisan breads, ethnic blends like Korean tacos and gourmet dishes that stand up next to fine fare from the brick-and-mortar sector.
The explosion contributes color and variety to cities, arguably invigorating urban spaces in a tough economy. But the popular trucks also present new problems â€" traffic and sanitation issues and resistance from traditional restaurants. So, while some cities are loosening restrictions on food trucks, others are revising and updating legislation to control the growth.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43843455/ns/us_news/ (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43843455/ns/us_news/)
From the TU:
http://jacksonville.com/entertainment/food-and-dining/2012-02-14/story/working-first-coast-new-bbq-food-trucker-confident (http://jacksonville.com/entertainment/food-and-dining/2012-02-14/story/working-first-coast-new-bbq-food-trucker-confident)
QuoteWorking on the First Coast: New BBQ food trucker confident he'll find clientele
He's confident that his custom-built trailer, a BBQ on wheels, will find a growing market.
Posted: February 14, 2012 - 6:48pm | Updated: February 15, 2012 - 7:09am
Working on the First Coast is a weekly Q&A with entrepreneurs, small business owners and others making a living in Northeast Florida.
By Roger Bull
Last year, Patrick O’Grady made his living as parts manager at an Audi dealership. His life revolved around fuel injectors, alloy wheels and LED headlights.
Now, it’s pulled pork, ribs and beans.
He’s part of the still-small-but-growing world of Jacksonville’s food trucks.
As the owner and operator of Driftwood BBQ, he sets his shiny new trailer up outside office buildings and work sites for the weekday lunch crowd. Sometimes he’s outside Intuition Ale Works for the nighttime beer crowd.
When did you start this?
We started planning in April, and our first day on the road was Sept. 1.
What made you think it would work?
It’s just the big hit that food trucks are now, and there are so few in town. Everybody down here likes barbecue. It was an easy fit.
Did you have a restaurant background?
No, but my dad did and he taught me. I started barbecuing about five years ago, planning to do competitions. I think I’ve gotten it all down now.
M&R Trailers out on 103rd Street built your trailer. Was it stock or custom?
Definitely custom. We knew what we wanted. We didn’t need a fryer because we don’t fry anything. I went out and found some used refrigerators and they put those in.
We had a business consultant who was a former health inspector, and she told us exactly what we needed to get approved.
You’ve got a smoker on the trailer. Is everything done on location?
The pork butts are usually done the day before and warmed up. Ribs and chicken are smoked day of. I prep all the sides on my time off.
So what does a trailer like that cost?
About $30,000.
And you work it by yourself?
It’s pretty much just me. My wife, Amy, will come to help if we’ve got catering.
Do you get much of that?
Just a few a month. We’d like to do more, but being new and there’s so many others out there.
What’s a good lunch time revenue for you?
Probably $150-$200 on a normal day. Some days are up to $250 or $275.
Is that enough to keep going?
We’re paying our bills. I’m not really making a paycheck yet. Everything we make goes back into the business. But we’re going to start doing T-shirts and bottling our own sauce. That should bring more revenue. And we do have a wedding in July that we’re doing the reception for.
Some other food trucks have run into problems setting up. Have you?
No, but I really like to get permission from the businesses. As long as you’re not blocking traffic, you’re usually OK. But the Beaches are a bigger problem. The On the Fly truck got chased away from Green Room Brewing. Yeah, we parked at a couple hotels at the beach, but they came down on us. So we’ll be fighting Jax Beach on this, along with Green Room and On the Fly. We’re going to the town hall meeting next Monday.
roger.bull@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4296
Read more at Jacksonville.com: http://jacksonville.com/entertainment/food-and-dining/2012-02-14/story/working-first-coast-new-bbq-food-trucker-confident#ixzz1mSajq3pV
Good story. I really hope this guy, and others like him, hang around. Not too sure how he'll survive on $150-200/day though.
The office complexes on southside boulevard and gate parkway be the best place for food trucks. I am not sure if they are allowed there though. Office workers dont want to drive somewhere in all that traffic and theres alot of them. They can not walk anywhere either.
Quote from: John P on February 15, 2012, 10:40:56 AM
The office complexes on southside boulevard and gate parkway be the best place for food trucks. I am not sure if they are allowed there though. Office workers dont want to drive somewhere in all that traffic and theres alot of them. They can not walk anywhere either.
There's a hotdog guy that sets up across from the Sheraton near the corner of Gate and Deerwood. Not exactly easy to walk to, but he sets up cones for a drive through in his wide spot in the road that he's got staked out. He's been there since last year sometime, so I assume he's got something worked out.
I guess I just don't understand the objection the city might have. If the owner goes through all the proper licensing and inspections, what's the problem? And if we can't have our own mobile food trucks, how can fairs and the like have them? I would venture to say that the Agricultural Fair would suffer a great deal if they were not allowed to have food served from those carnival trailers that they use.
Seems like another case of Jacksonville not looking forward.
We've been told by the city that we are in violation of our zoning by having a food truck serving food on our property.
Green Room Brewing out at the beach has been told they can not have food trucks at their business either.
Seems like both cities would want the option of food available to people that are enjoying local beer.
^Yes, it does.
We are putting together a food truck event in late March. An official announcement will be forthcoming next week as there are still some details being worked out.
It's time for the city to put up or shut up, and this event will be a demonstration on how viable food trucks can be for the local economy.
You really have no idea how hard the city makes this to put on, and for what?
The event should be fun. I'm certainly looking forward to having several of our local food trucks in a single spot to sample all of them.
Quote from: Intuition Ale Works on February 15, 2012, 11:56:00 AM
We've been told by the city that we are in violation of our zoning by having a food truck serving food on our property.
Green Room Brewing out at the beach has been told they can not have food trucks at their business either.
Seems like both cities would want the option of food available to people that are enjoying local beer.
What specific zoning regulation are they claiming you're in violation of?
Quote from: Intuition Ale Works on February 15, 2012, 11:56:00 AM
We've been told by the city that we are in violation of our zoning by having a food truck serving food on our property.
Green Room Brewing out at the beach has been told they can not have food trucks at their business either.
Seems like both cities would want the option of food available to people that are enjoying local beer.
Oh now, stop that logical nonsense, you silly person.
Quote from: thelakelander on February 15, 2012, 12:45:32 PM
Quote from: Intuition Ale Works on February 15, 2012, 11:56:00 AM
We've been told by the city that we are in violation of our zoning by having a food truck serving food on our property.
Green Room Brewing out at the beach has been told they can not have food trucks at their business either.
Seems like both cities would want the option of food available to people that are enjoying local beer.
In our case it is because we are zoned IL.
What specific zoning regulation are they claiming you're in violation of?
Quote from: fieldafm on February 15, 2012, 12:23:28 PM
We are putting together a food truck event in late March. An official announcement will be forthcoming next week as there are still some details being worked out.
It's time for the city to put up or shut up, and this event will be a demonstration at how viable food trucks can be to the local economy.
You really have no idea how hard the city makes this to put on, and for what?
This will be great, Field. I think it will be eye-opening for a lot of people in city government and elsewhere.
Well, if it's good enough for Tallahassee...
They do it every Thursday near Lake Ella.
http://www.visittallahassee.com/blog/2011/sep/22/food-trucks-take-over-tallahassee-thursdays/
Quote from: Jimmy on February 15, 2012, 02:37:53 PM
Well, if it's good enough for Tallahassee...
They do it every Thursday near Lake Ella.
http://www.visittallahassee.com/blog/2011/sep/22/food-trucks-take-over-tallahassee-thursdays/
And Orlando, and Tampa, and Sanford....
Hell, the one in Tampa is sponsored by the mayor's office!
Quote from: fieldafm on February 15, 2012, 02:55:27 PM
Quote from: Jimmy on February 15, 2012, 02:37:53 PM
Well, if it's good enough for Tallahassee...
They do it every Thursday near Lake Ella.
http://www.visittallahassee.com/blog/2011/sep/22/food-trucks-take-over-tallahassee-thursdays/
And Orlando, and Tampa, and Sanford....
Hell, the one in Tampa is sponsored by the mayor's office!
While it is good enough for a lot of places (Orlando, Tampa, Sanford), let's not forget for a second a LOT of places are having "problems" between food trucks and cities. That being said, Jacksonville, get your act in gear!!!
Boston: http://boston.grubstreet.com/2012/01/staff-meal-food-truck-letter.html (http://boston.grubstreet.com/2012/01/staff-meal-food-truck-letter.html)
Buffalo: http://www.buffalospree.com/Blogs/Random-Rants/Annual-2011/Food-Trucks-in-the-City-The-issues/ (http://www.buffalospree.com/Blogs/Random-Rants/Annual-2011/Food-Trucks-in-the-City-The-issues/)
Napa Valley: http://napavalleyregister.com/news/local/city-working-on-recipe-for-approving-food-trucks/article_f436b2a4-3060-11e1-92ab-0019bb2963f4.html (http://napavalleyregister.com/news/local/city-working-on-recipe-for-approving-food-trucks/article_f436b2a4-3060-11e1-92ab-0019bb2963f4.html)
Wilmington: http://www.wwaytv3.com/2011/10/14/food-trucks-face-zoning-issues-wilmington (http://www.wwaytv3.com/2011/10/14/food-trucks-face-zoning-issues-wilmington)
Louisville: http://www.wave3.com/story/15743564/issues-brewing-with-new-food-truck-regulations (http://www.wave3.com/story/15743564/issues-brewing-with-new-food-truck-regulations)
Washington, D.C.: http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/danger-zone-for-dcs-food-trucks/2012/02/08/gIQA7Z4z4Q_story.html (http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/danger-zone-for-dcs-food-trucks/2012/02/08/gIQA7Z4z4Q_story.html)
It's crony capitalism. Existing businesses convince politicians to limit competition through regulation and limit consumer choices in the process.
I can't speak to the others, but DC is kind of an apples to oranges comparison. DC is not out and out hostile towards the mobile food trucks, they can at least exist. In Jax, that really simply isn't the case and code does everything in their power to chase them away.
I spent a lot of time researching the issue in DC and also Chicago(which is an extremely interesting case study on the subject).
I'll be going to LA in a few weeks, one of the most vibrant food truck cultures save for Portland and Austin... number one because I love Kogi BBQ(and have personally perfected the kimichi taco) but also to research the differences b/w their approach and Chicago's (two diamatrically opposed positions)
Quote from: fieldafm on February 15, 2012, 12:23:28 PM
We are putting together a food truck event in late March. An official announcement will be forthcoming next week as there are still some details being worked out.
It's time for the city to put up or shut up, and this event will be a demonstration on how viable food trucks can be for the local economy.
You really have no idea how hard the city makes this to put on, and for what?
Field, couldn't agree more. Looking forward to the event. Spoke with someone who has given up with Duval county and is going to Clay county. Thats a fact.
Remember 2010-856 and the transient vendor ban?
Visit Jacksonville
or
Don't Visit Jacksonville
Its not only access to the river but a food truck too.
Quote from: fieldafm on February 15, 2012, 03:43:38 PM
I'll be going to LA in a few weeks, one of the most vibrant food truck cultures save for Portland and Austin
you should visit Philly..especially the campus of Temple University....we had well over 100 trucks on a campus that is less than 100 acres!
QuoteRemember 2010-856 and the transient vendor ban?
As I was looking to purchase a rig from a local person that gave up was around the same time that 2010-856 came about. Hence my desire to learn more about the subject and researching the issue in other localities... keeping in mind the wonderful experiences I had with the street food culture in Southern California.
That's really what started all of this. I generally do things like this b/c someone ticked me off. I have come to the realization that 'no' is a required response in this city, and frankly that's unacceptable.
Quoteyou should visit Philly
I've visited Philly quite a few times for work. One visit was three too many for me ;)
Quote from: Intuition Ale Works on February 15, 2012, 01:12:39 PM
Quote from: thelakelander on February 15, 2012, 12:45:32 PM
Quote from: Intuition Ale Works on February 15, 2012, 11:56:00 AM
We've been told by the city that we are in violation of our zoning by having a food truck serving food on our property.
Green Room Brewing out at the beach has been told they can not have food trucks at their business either.
Seems like both cities would want the option of food available to people that are enjoying local beer.
In our case it is because we are zoned IL.
What specific zoning regulation are they claiming you're in violation of?
That's just nuts! Every factory, warehouse and construction site in the country is visited by food trucks. You might as well add this to the list a variances you are having to get.
http://jacksonville.com/entertainment/food-and-dining/2012-05-03/story/food-trucks-battle-bans-first-coast-area-beaches
I believe the owners of these food trucks could sue Jacksonville and actually win. If I was a food truck owner, that's what I would do. The COJ is going against these owners' ways of making a living. Jacksonville is going against what this very country was founded upon!
Restricting competition, discouraging the opening of small businesses, reducing options for consumers (the food these trucks are putting out is fantastic and inexpensive) and stifling innovation and creativity of entrepreneurs isn't the way for the city to go about things. It's not just food trucks that suffer. Marketing firms, truck outfitters, sign businesses, food suppliers, local farmers(many source food from local farmers), legal firms, the dept of revenue, restaurant suppliers and others all lose out when this form of competition is unfairly restricted.
Last night, On the Fly was downtown for Art Walk and enjoyed a brisk business. Several people came to Art Walk JUST for On the Fly that had never even been to Art Walk before and thought the city looked alive for the first time in their recent memory
(these are actual quotes, I talked to a majority of people waiting in line). That is what we mean when we say that these trucks stimulate the kind of pedestrian activity that also helps periperhal businesses.
The time is now Jacksonville and Jacksonville Beach. Will you answer the call?
Quote from: Anti redneck on May 03, 2012, 07:29:57 AM
I believe the owners of these food trucks could sue Jacksonville and actually win. If I was a food truck owner, that's what I would do. The COJ is going against these owners' ways of making a living. Jacksonville is going against what this very country was founded upon!
The trucks in St Pete enacted legal action against the city there. They were only able to do so based on the pro bono work of a dedicated legal team. It's not exactly inexpensive to bring legal action against an entity in this situation.
This shouldn't be settled in the courts. Consumers(aka taxpayers) are loud and clear about what they want done here. The legislative and executive branch of our local governments need to take the lead.
Quote from: fieldafm on May 03, 2012, 08:04:40 AM
Quote from: Anti redneck on May 03, 2012, 07:29:57 AM
I believe the owners of these food trucks could sue Jacksonville and actually win. If I was a food truck owner, that's what I would do. The COJ is going against these owners' ways of making a living. Jacksonville is going against what this very country was founded upon!
The trucks in St Pete enacted legal action against the city there. They were only able to do so based on the pro bono work of a dedicated legal team. It's not exactly inexpensive to bring legal action against an entity in this situation.
This shouldn't be settled in the courts. Consumers(aka taxpayers) are loud and clear about what they want done here. The legislative and executive branch of our local governments need to take the lead.
Well the consumers and the owners can and should take legal action; especially the above that you mentioned. I hope the people are reading this and I hope there is a lawyer reading this that supports the business of the food trucks. It's time to stand up to the COJ!!
One thing i dont understand is how does the council know that these food truck wont find a good clientel for their specific food and then the truck owners decide to pick a spot somewhere with an address. Arent these trucks also a good way to test the market with what they offer? Geez this conservative council is so fucked up.
Quote from: Anti redneck on May 03, 2012, 07:29:57 AM
I believe the owners of these food trucks could sue Jacksonville and actually win. If I was a food truck owner, that's what I would do. The COJ is going against these owners' ways of making a living. Jacksonville is going against what this very country was founded upon!
I think you're onto something here. Tortious interference with business, maybe?
Quote from: Anti redneck on May 03, 2012, 08:49:40 AM
Quote from: fieldafm on May 03, 2012, 08:04:40 AM
Quote from: Anti redneck on May 03, 2012, 07:29:57 AM
I believe the owners of these food trucks could sue Jacksonville and actually win. If I was a food truck owner, that's what I would do. The COJ is going against these owners' ways of making a living. Jacksonville is going against what this very country was founded upon!
The trucks in St Pete enacted legal action against the city there. They were only able to do so based on the pro bono work of a dedicated legal team. It's not exactly inexpensive to bring legal action against an entity in this situation.
This shouldn't be settled in the courts. Consumers(aka taxpayers) are loud and clear about what they want done here. The legislative and executive branch of our local governments need to take the lead.
Well the consumers and the owners can and should take legal action; especially the above that you mentioned. I hope the people are reading this and I hope there is a lawyer reading this that supports the business of the food trucks. It's time to stand up to the COJ!!
Pony up the cash and do it yourself then.
In the meantime, letting your elected officials know of your well-researched and professional thoughts on the matter will go a long way... and much more effective than sueing the city.
Regulate and tax them. Charge for trash, maintenance of traffic and parking. The bricks and mortar guys pay to maintain parking and dispose of trash. They have to have certain traffic flows in their parking lots so as not disturbe the traffic flow. The food trucks avoid all that.
Yes, you say they cater to pedestrians. But those pedestirans parked somewhere. They throw trash somewhere. They stand in line blocking the sidewalk, street, side of the road, etc. The food truck blocks a corner limiting traffic, whatever.
The "independ" attitudes of many of the food truck operators is often not appreciated. I will not tollerate the majority of them on my job sites.
Could you be specific? The lunch sites the food trucks we represent have all been extremely welcoming of food trucks and have overall great experiences to share. Not one of them dump trash and grease on site and the employees have really embraced these trucks. In the last three weeks alone, no less than 8 office parks have reached out to me wanting food trucks on their properties at lunch time.
Florida Theatre was alive last night with people, young and old people alike.
I'm really curious to know about your experiences.
QuoteBut those pedestirans parked somewhere.
In a downtown environment, they would avoid parking somewhere b/c they would simply walk to a truck instead of driving somewhere else. In an office park, workers avoid driving off campus by using the food truck at their job site instead.
QuoteThe food truck blocks a corner limiting traffic
I don't think anyone has advocated for blocking traffic. That would be illegal and dangerous.
QuoteThey throw trash somewhere.
Customers throw trash into the trash bins provided for them at the truck(at least in my experience in every city I have visited and dined from a food truck in, our trucks here have been provided trash receptacles by a disposal company in town), or they typically walk back to their office and dispose of the trash there(just like they would if they brought lunch in from home).
Quote from: fieldafm on May 03, 2012, 09:45:44 AM
Quote from: Anti redneck on May 03, 2012, 08:49:40 AM
Quote from: fieldafm on May 03, 2012, 08:04:40 AM
Quote from: Anti redneck on May 03, 2012, 07:29:57 AM
I believe the owners of these food trucks could sue Jacksonville and actually win. If I was a food truck owner, that's what I would do. The COJ is going against these owners' ways of making a living. Jacksonville is going against what this very country was founded upon!
The trucks in St Pete enacted legal action against the city there. They were only able to do so based on the pro bono work of a dedicated legal team. It's not exactly inexpensive to bring legal action against an entity in this situation.
This shouldn't be settled in the courts. Consumers(aka taxpayers) are loud and clear about what they want done here. The legislative and executive branch of our local governments need to take the lead.
Well the consumers and the owners can and should take legal action; especially the above that you mentioned. I hope the people are reading this and I hope there is a lawyer reading this that supports the business of the food trucks. It's time to stand up to the COJ!!
Pony up the cash and do it yourself then.
In the meantime, letting your elected officials know of your well-researched and professional thoughts on the matter will go a long way... and much more effective than sueing the city.
No need to be sarcastic about it. Furthermore, putting in my two cents worth I'm sure would not work. They listen to nobody except those who agree with them
The Everbank building certainly welcomes them. There is a sign in their lobby listing what trucks will be there on what days!
Quote from: Dog Walker on May 03, 2012, 06:01:34 PM
The Everbank building certainly welcomes them. There is a sign in their lobby listing what trucks will be there on what days!
I'm usually off on Fridays, so I made it a point to swing by and see who was in.... Corner Taco. I was picking up lunch for 2 1/2 people so when they asked what I wanted the answer was simple, "One of each, please."
In a word - Freaking Awesome! Until we get smell / taste -o-vision, you'll have to let the picture speak for itself.
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7188/6997641152_39fd022811_z.jpg)
Oh, darn! Now you've gone and made me hungry again. Everything I've ever had from Corner Taco (no enough!) has been fantastic. Fresh, balanced, imaginative and really, really good.
Quote from: Dog Walker on May 03, 2012, 06:01:34 PM
The Everbank building certainly welcomes them. There is a sign in their lobby listing what trucks will be there on what days!
Office buildings without easy access to dining options seems to be the most obvious location for food trucks.
I've read that the health departments in some other southern cities are spoiling the food trucks. Fom what I,ve read, they come up with all these new permits that these trucks must pay to be legal. Puts the cost up a good bit more.
Quote from: Bill Hoff on May 06, 2012, 03:34:55 PM
Quote from: Dog Walker on May 03, 2012, 06:01:34 PM
The Everbank building certainly welcomes them. There is a sign in their lobby listing what trucks will be there on what days!
Office buildings without easy access to dining options seems to be the most obvious location for food trucks.
Wherever there is dense clustering of people looking for variety would also be a prime location - if it's near office buildings without other options, great. If it's in the heart of downtown - that's fine, too.
QuoteNot one of them dump trash and grease on site and the employees have really embraced these trucks.
The other day there was a guy with a food truck trailer parked on the sidewalk in front of the Property Appraiser. The van pulling the trailer leaked oil all over the sidewalk to the point where the guy had to pour cat litter over it when he left. I'm all for food trucks but I thought that was pretty lame. He needs to keep his van on the road and not the sidewalk.
Was it a food truck or a hot dog cart?
Food trucks have contained grease traps as required by law and a full kitchen built to the same specifications as any brick and mortar restaurant(fire suppresent systems, etc). The only way they would dump grease is if they did it intentionally (much like an RV wouldn't just arbitrarily discharge sewage as it drives down the road).
I think he meant the van leaked car oil on the sidewalk.
Quote from: fieldafm on May 07, 2012, 09:43:34 AM
Was it a food truck or a hot dog cart?
Food trucks have contained grease traps as required by law and a full kitchen built to the same specifications as any brick and mortar restaurant(fire suppresent systems, etc). The only way they would dump grease is if they did it intentionally (much like an RV wouldn't just arbitrarily discharge sewage as it drives down the road).
This was more of a hot cart type rather than a food truck. It wasn't grease from the food, but actual oil from his van engine (what he was using to pull the cart). He had both the van and cart parked on the sidewalk.
This rig was nothing like the actual food trucks you're referring to. I just thought it was kinda weak that he was leaking stuff all over the sidewalk- probably just an isolated incident but if it keeps happening I think he should get some kind of fine for messing up the City sidewalk.
Quote from: cline on May 07, 2012, 09:48:12 AM
Quote from: fieldafm on May 07, 2012, 09:43:34 AM
Was it a food truck or a hot dog cart?
Food trucks have contained grease traps as required by law and a full kitchen built to the same specifications as any brick and mortar restaurant(fire suppresent systems, etc). The only way they would dump grease is if they did it intentionally (much like an RV wouldn't just arbitrarily discharge sewage as it drives down the road).
This was more of a hot cart type rather than a food truck. It wasn't grease from the food, but actual oil from his van engine (what he was using to pull the cart). He had both the van and cart parked on the sidewalk.
This rig was nothing like the actual food trucks you're referring to. I just thought it was kinda weak that he was leaking stuff all over the sidewalk- probably just an isolated incident but if it keeps happening I think he should get some kind of fine for messing up the City sidewalk.
I agree... that definately sucks. If you're leaking oil on city sidewalks, you should indeed have to pay. Litter is my enemy.