QuoteFrom Philadelphia to Portland, Ore., diners on the go can take their pick of delicious street corner fare â€" everything from gourmet grilled cheese to Crepes Suzette â€" from the roaming food trucks that dot the nation’s cityscapes.
Not in Jacksonville, though.
The few foodies who’ve tried to put their restaurants on wheels here say restrictive regulations can make it tough to even get a foothold.
full article: http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2012-02-21/story/melissa-ross-food-trucks-would-add-citys-vibrancy
this was mentioned on her show this morning
I loved the "kill a gnat with a sledgehammer" quote.
It's amazing that the downtown nay-sayers are even prevalent in the comments section on an article like this one... Huh...
Theres a lot of conservative republican good-oleboys that'll have to die a long drawn out death for things to change this city...so in maybe 80 years we'll be able to get good mobile food around here...we've got generations of families who are hell bent on keeping things just the way things have been for the past 100 years...but good luck
QuoteTheres a lot of conservative republican good-oleboys that'll have to die a long drawn out death for things to change this city
What rock you been living under? Jacksonville elected a black mayor. Times are changing.
I read a review in Planning magazine about the book "Cartopia" which basically discusses the food cart movement in Portland. I have not read the actual book but it looks interesting.
http://www.amazon.com/Cartopia-Portlands-Food-Cart-Revolution/dp/0615403883/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1329940067&sr=8-1
Quote from: mtraininjax on February 22, 2012, 02:44:22 PM
QuoteTheres a lot of conservative republican good-oleboys that'll have to die a long drawn out death for things to change this city
What rock you been living under? Jacksonville elected a black mayor. Times are changing.
I logged in just so I could lol at this......LOL
I'm with you. Some folks like to sling hyperbole around just to appear involved in the conversation when in fact they come off sounding like fools.
Food trucks aren't completely dead in Jacksonville. This from this morning's T-U
http://jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/423471/gary-mills/2012-02-22/corner-tacos-converted-airstream-one-jacksonvilles-newest
and here's what food truck vendors are doing about regulations in St. Pete
http://www.tampabay.com/news/localgovernment/food-trucks-form-alliance-to-combat-st-petersburg-regulations/1216534
Quote from: Garden guy on February 22, 2012, 02:30:13 PM
Theres a lot of conservative republican good-oleboys that'll have to die a long drawn out death for things to change this city...so in maybe 80 years we'll be able to get good mobile food around here...we've got generations of families who are hell bent on keeping things just the way things have been for the past 100 years...but good luck
Yo GG,
As a conservative Republican, I have no idea what you are referring to. I am fully and irrevocably in favor of food trucks and think that Jacksonville is completely missing the bus on this issue. How EXACLTY is this a republican vs. Democrat issue?
Quote from: mtraininjax on February 22, 2012, 02:44:22 PM
QuoteTheres a lot of conservative republican good-oleboys that'll have to die a long drawn out death for things to change this city
What rock you been living under? Jacksonville elected a black mayor. Times are changing.
AND, he is a Democrat. AND, as a Republican, I support a majority of his ideas...
We've had food trucks since the 80's. Just put a construction site downtown and they come. From hot dog carts to custom metro vans with fryers and flat tops. AND block my parking space. Cause the guys to come down out of the building for an 45-60 minute.......30 minute lunch break and other things.
http://www.slate.com/articles/business/moneybox/2012/02/food_truck_war_how_city_governments_are_trying_to_kill_them_with_dumb_regulations_.html (http://www.slate.com/articles/business/moneybox/2012/02/food_truck_war_how_city_governments_are_trying_to_kill_them_with_dumb_regulations_.html)
Get Your Kitchen Out of My Parking Space!
City governments across the country are threatening to kill the food truck revolution with dumb regulations.
from slate.com
I'm fairly skeptical of the food truck craze in terms of long term economic development. However, I strongly support trying new ideas that will attract people and increase vibrancy downtown. It's at least worth trying out, as cities from Tallahassee to Portland are doing.
It's economic development in terms of stimulating small business growth opportunities. However, food trucks aren't going to save downtown or any other neighborhood and shouldn't be viewed in that light.
The best thing for downtown is for the city to modify its restrictive policies that prohibit market rate growth down here, and get out of the way.
Quote from: thelakelander on February 23, 2012, 10:16:17 AM
It's economic development in terms of stimulating small business growth opportunities. However, food trucks aren't going to save downtown or any other neighborhood and shouldn't be viewed in that light.
The best thing for downtown is for the city to modify its restrictive policies that prohibit market rate growth down here, and get out of the way.
Take a look at RAM... businesses start there, see if their idea makes sense... and potentially graduate to something else.
Case in point: Mac-Tech PC Pro, Peles, French Fry Heaven, River City Gourmet, et al.
Why on earth would a city that touts itself as 'business friendly' want to stymie ways to stimulate innovation in small business growth? Why would you want to limit inexpensive ways to create a small business? Small business are the job creators in this country.
The average food truck will probably turn somewhere around 100-120 items for a standard service. They don't threaten existing businesses en masse, and furthermore stimulate pedestrian movement in a city that DESPERATELY needs it.
Sounds like a no-brainer to me.
Definitely agree. Especially in terms of stimulating foot traffic. For example, look at the continued discussion on how to attract more people to Hemming Plaza. Simply line that space up with food trucks and you've got an activity that would do just that.
Quote from: fieldafm on February 23, 2012, 11:01:52 AM
Quote from: thelakelander on February 23, 2012, 10:16:17 AM
It's economic development in terms of stimulating small business growth opportunities. However, food trucks aren't going to save downtown or any other neighborhood and shouldn't be viewed in that light.
The best thing for downtown is for the city to modify its restrictive policies that prohibit market rate growth down here, and get out of the way.
Take a look at RAM... businesses start there, see if their idea makes sense... and potentially graduate to something else.
Case in point: Mac-Tech PC Pro, Peles, French Fry Heaven, River City Gourmet, et al.
Why on earth would a city that touts itself as 'business friendly' want to stymie ways to stimulate innovation in small business growth? Why would you want to limit inexpensive ways to create a small business? Small business are the job creators in this country.
The average food truck will probably turn somewhere around 100-120 items for a standard service. They don't threaten existing businesses en masse, and furthermore stimulate pedestrian movement in a city that DESPERATELY needs it.
Sounds like a no-brainer to me.
City of Jax is not business friendly. Last night's LUZ meeting was a perfect example and their treatment of foodtrucks are another example.
COJ's attitude is if a business does not fit into their little "boxes" then shut it down and make the business conform or hire a lawyer to pay to change the code/law.
Most small businesses in Jax thrive in spite of the city.
^You just nailed why downtown doesn't work. The city simply needs to get out of the way and let our creative and innovative residents do what they do best.
Quote from: Intuition Ale Works on February 23, 2012, 11:57:21 AM
Quote from: fieldafm on February 23, 2012, 11:01:52 AM
Quote from: thelakelander on February 23, 2012, 10:16:17 AM
It's economic development in terms of stimulating small business growth opportunities. However, food trucks aren't going to save downtown or any other neighborhood and shouldn't be viewed in that light.
The best thing for downtown is for the city to modify its restrictive policies that prohibit market rate growth down here, and get out of the way.
Take a look at RAM... businesses start there, see if their idea makes sense... and potentially graduate to something else.
Case in point: Mac-Tech PC Pro, Peles, French Fry Heaven, River City Gourmet, et al.
Why on earth would a city that touts itself as 'business friendly' want to stymie ways to stimulate innovation in small business growth? Why would you want to limit inexpensive ways to create a small business? Small business are the job creators in this country.
The average food truck will probably turn somewhere around 100-120 items for a standard service. They don't threaten existing businesses en masse, and furthermore stimulate pedestrian movement in a city that DESPERATELY needs it.
Sounds like a no-brainer to me.
City of Jax is not business friendly. Last night's LUZ meeting was a perfect example and their treatment of foodtrucks are another example.
COJ's attitude is if a business does not fit into their little "boxes" then shut it down and make the business conform or hire a lawyer to pay to change the code/law.
Most small businesses in Jax thrive in spite of the city.
You'll get no argument out of me.
BTW, you going to be around tonight? I'll be in later around 730ish.
Quote from: fieldafm on February 23, 2012, 02:18:44 PM
Quote from: Intuition Ale Works on February 23, 2012, 11:57:21 AM
Quote from: fieldafm on February 23, 2012, 11:01:52 AM
Quote from: thelakelander on February 23, 2012, 10:16:17 AM
It's economic development in terms of stimulating small business growth opportunities. However, food trucks aren't going to save downtown or any other neighborhood and shouldn't be viewed in that light.
The best thing for downtown is for the city to modify its restrictive policies that prohibit market rate growth down here, and get out of the way.
Take a look at RAM... businesses start there, see if their idea makes sense... and potentially graduate to something else.
Case in point: Mac-Tech PC Pro, Peles, French Fry Heaven, River City Gourmet, et al.
Why on earth would a city that touts itself as 'business friendly' want to stymie ways to stimulate innovation in small business growth? Why would you want to limit inexpensive ways to create a small business? Small business are the job creators in this country.
The average food truck will probably turn somewhere around 100-120 items for a standard service. They don't threaten existing businesses en masse, and furthermore stimulate pedestrian movement in a city that DESPERATELY needs it.
Sounds like a no-brainer to me.
City of Jax is not business friendly. Last night's LUZ meeting was a perfect example and their treatment of foodtrucks are another example.
COJ's attitude is if a business does not fit into their little "boxes" then shut it down and make the business conform or hire a lawyer to pay to change the code/law.
Most small businesses in Jax thrive in spite of the city.
You'll get no argument out of me.
BTW, you going to be around tonight? I'll be in later around 730ish.
I will be there around 8pm drinking with some of the Cigar City crew.
The COJ is very business friendly; some argue too much so. The focus may be too much on large businesses; COJ is perhaps not as friendly to small businesses as it could be, and there is a definite rigidity when it comes to trying new things. IMO this is the larger obstacle to downtown development than the city not being friendly enough to business.
Quote from: Intuition Ale Works on February 23, 2012, 02:43:30 PM
Quote from: fieldafm on February 23, 2012, 02:18:44 PM
Quote from: Intuition Ale Works on February 23, 2012, 11:57:21 AM
Quote from: fieldafm on February 23, 2012, 11:01:52 AM
Quote from: thelakelander on February 23, 2012, 10:16:17 AM
It's economic development in terms of stimulating small business growth opportunities. However, food trucks aren't going to save downtown or any other neighborhood and shouldn't be viewed in that light.
The best thing for downtown is for the city to modify its restrictive policies that prohibit market rate growth down here, and get out of the way.
Take a look at RAM... businesses start there, see if their idea makes sense... and potentially graduate to something else.
Case in point: Mac-Tech PC Pro, Peles, French Fry Heaven, River City Gourmet, et al.
Why on earth would a city that touts itself as 'business friendly' want to stymie ways to stimulate innovation in small business growth? Why would you want to limit inexpensive ways to create a small business? Small business are the job creators in this country.
The average food truck will probably turn somewhere around 100-120 items for a standard service. They don't threaten existing businesses en masse, and furthermore stimulate pedestrian movement in a city that DESPERATELY needs it.
Sounds like a no-brainer to me.
City of Jax is not business friendly. Last night's LUZ meeting was a perfect example and their treatment of foodtrucks are another example.
COJ's attitude is if a business does not fit into their little "boxes" then shut it down and make the business conform or hire a lawyer to pay to change the code/law.
Most small businesses in Jax thrive in spite of the city.
You'll get no argument out of me.
BTW, you going to be around tonight? I'll be in later around 730ish.
I will be there around 8pm drinking with some of the Cigar City crew.
Oh hell f'ing yeah.. going to have any special Maduro on tap??