Today's Raleigh city council's law and public safety committee revisited the debate about whether to let food trucks operate in the city limits.
The result: No decision yet.
The committee hopes to have city staff develop what I would call a "baby step" proposal ordinance to be put up for comment during the April 5 public hearing.
Right now, generally speaking, food trucks aren't allowed to operate on public streets. (They can get a special permit for a limited amount of time but that's more for special events, like when they close down Fayetteville Street for Raleigh Wide Open.) The trucks can operate on private property outside downtown Raleigh. (Hence, the food trucks gathering at Big Boss Brewery on Thursdays and Fridays.)
City council asked the staff to develop a proposal to allow food trucks on private property.
What city council members and city staff are considering as possible "baby step" proposals include: Letting trucks operate on private property in downtown Raleigh. Letting trucks gather on designated city-owned property, such as near the new amphitheater. Another idea floated out there but not really discussed was allowing trucks one day a week around Moore Square.
When Councilwoman Mary-Ann Baldwin asked restaurant owners and food truck operators to speak, it got heated at times.
Alex Amra, owner of Tobacco Road Sports Cafe, said he didn't like the idea of having trucks parked outside his Glenwood Avenue sports bar espcially during an economic downturn.
"I can't put my restaurant in drive and go somewhere else," he says.
He pointed out that there's nothing to stop a pizza truck from parking outside a pizza restaurant and offering direct competition with a lower overhead costs.
At that point, Mike Stenke, the owner of Klausie's Pizza truck, piped up: "But I won't."
Amra responded: "Yeah, sure."
That was likely the tensest moment between brick-and-mortar restaurant owners and food truck operators. Those in the former camp raised concerns about creating unfair competition for those who have invested thousands, if not millions, into their businesses in the blossoming downtown and Glenwood South business areas. They also raised concerns about food safety and health inspection for food trucks and that these trucks would take valuable and scarce parking spots from customers.
One of the most eloquent speakers on the other side was Steven Valentino, owner of Valentino's Italian Food Truck. He talked about being unemployed and taking money that he and his wife had saved for a down payment on a house to start his food truck business. Valentino says he doesn't want to operate in Glenwood South, has no interest in being overwhelmed by stumbling drunk people wanting food. But he does want to make a living and one day hopes to open his own brick-and-mortar establishment.
Looking across the table at the owners of Zely & Ritz and Helios, Valentino said, "I want to be you...I love what you guys do. I want to be a restaurateur."
And so, the debate continues.
As soon as I know when this issue is on the agenda again, I'll let you know.
Comments
Operating on Private Property
Wed, 01/26/2011 - 00:40 — valentinotruckAs the law currently stands, food trucks Can Not operate on Private Property throughout the city of Raleigh, unless they apply for a permit that expires after 25 days. These permits are only granted once a year per property, then once the permit has exceeded it's time limit the zoning dept. starts to issue $100 violations per day.
You speak of competition
Tue, 01/25/2011 - 23:21 — VanAlstonBut really, we're not talking of competing on an equal footing. Brick and mortar restaurants pay extra taxes for the downtown ambassadors and they are also required by law to provide restrooms for their customers. When the food trucks do this, then you will actually be able to use the word "competition" with a straight face. Right now, a better word for the food trucks wanting to enter downtwon would be "mooch."
This is a tough one and
Tue, 01/25/2011 - 22:13 — hdog007This is a tough one and Raleigh isn't the only city struggling with this. Can they make a rule where a food truck can't be within 'x' number of feet of a restaurant? Like 100 ft? There has to be some way to compromise.
The market will dictate
Tue, 01/25/2011 - 21:32 — anonymous2010The food market downtown will determine which business models work. There are days where I don't want to deal with a wait staff, a long menu and 45 minutes out of my day for lunch. I want good food in little time and at my pace. Something brick-and-mortars can't provide. Other days, I have a longer lunch break, the weather is bad and I want to sit. Whichever vendor provides the solution to my needs on a given day gets my business. I don't want the city to dictate it. Make the food truckers go through the same permitting as required by the city and the same inspections are required by the health department. So far as the pizza guy who doesn't like the pizza food truck outside his door. How about another brick-and-mortar pizza place open up across the street or 4-doors down. Nothing to stop that from happening. If you food, service and price is preferred, then the you win. Competition is healthy except when it's yours.
Food trucks
Tue, 01/25/2011 - 21:15 — Knox417Its carrying competition a little too far. For what each has invested; whether mobile or bricks and morter, its going to push the brick and morter guy out of business. Empty store fronts and lower rents may be the end result. I say the mobile ones need to be restricted to fairs and street festivals only.
What was that sienfeld show about soup???
Tue, 01/25/2011 - 20:07 — BigAlphaMaleRemember the show about the soup chef who would decide if you could have some of his soup that day???
What did they call him???
Well that name applies to the mayberry trouncil.
"No food truck for you today"....
If your food cannot beat a food truck???
Tue, 01/25/2011 - 19:14 — BigAlphaMaleIf your food cannot beat a food truck, then you should go out of business...
Why is the mayberry city trouncil banning competition??? Sounds like communism. We will tell you who can have a business.
The food truckers should sue the trouncil for unfair business practices.
OK. When I goto the boat show at the money pit CC, will there be good places to grab a bite to eat??? The last time I was there, the only close place was a shea mac...
compromise ??
Tue, 01/25/2011 - 19:05 — AgentPierceArguments to be made for both sides.
Compromise ??? - a food truck cannot operate within 50 / 100 yards of a brick/mortar restaurant (however that is defined by their business license). That negates the "parked outside my front door" issue.
As with most every issue of this ilk; I bet other cities have found suitable compromise solutions. Call/e-mail the city administration offices of ten comparable metro areas within 200 miles. Take the one most similar to Raleigh's and adopt it. No need to reinvent wheels on every issue. Food trucks are a novel retail niche gaining popularity .... deal with it like countless other innovative retail concepts.
Truck vs. Restaurant - Different Experiences
Tue, 01/25/2011 - 18:47 — keihinEating off of a food truck is a very different experience from eating in a sit-down restaurant. These two things don't really compete for the same customers.
Food trucks offer a relatively cheap way for entrepeneurs to get a food business off the ground. And because costs are lower, more people can give it a try, which is a good thing for an economy that stands to be buoyed by small businesses.
Food truck vendors can also afford to take chances with the menu offerings. This makes for fun and exciting foods (korean tacos! short rib sliders!).
Food truck culture is hot for a reason; it's a fun way to eat, flexible as to location and hours, and accessible to poorly capitalized but creative vendors.
Our fine city could use a little added color and spice, and food trucks definitely fit the bill. Bring 'em on!!
Food Trucks
Tue, 01/25/2011 - 17:27 — wek41Good hard core competition !
If they don't like it, let 'em eat cake !
Truck v. Building -- Are they really the same thing?
Tue, 01/25/2011 - 16:52 — meschreiner>>"I can't put my restaurant in drive and go somewhere else," he says.
He pointed out that there's nothing to stop a pizza truck from parking outside a pizza restaurant and offering direct competition with a lower overhead costs.
========================================
Yes, but the truck cannot set out tables and chairs, build a roof and walls and keep out the cold and rain, or hire a staff of well-trained waiters and waitresses to pamper every diner.
A truck is not a building. A building is not a truck. A customer who would rather get food from a truck and eat standing up is most likely not even in the sit-down restaurant market in the first place. The opposite is also likely true -- anyone who wants table service, and no chance they will be rained upon while eating, is not in the food-truck marketplace.
Do food trucks and sit-down restaurants really compete with each other? In the absence of data to the contrary, the most reasonable conclusion is no.
What we hearing here is a little unnecessary fear and few facts.
Here's one: According to climatic data, Raleigh has, on average, about 112 rainy days a year.
On those days, its fair to assume the food truck will be no match, commercially, for the bricks-and-mortar restaurant. The food truck's fortunes operate at the whim of weather, unlike bricks-and-mortar eateries, which operate rain or shine.
So, since they likely don't likely compete with food trucks for the same customers anyway, bricks-and-mortar wins their market every day.
Since they have a roof and walls to keep out the bad weather, bricks-and-mortar wins every day it rains, snows, sleets or hails.
Seems like bricks-and-mortar, once you think about it, really has little to fear. And if food trucks draw any extra foot traffic to a commercial zone, bricks-and-mortar has something very valuable to gain -- free impressions on people who may return to their indoor eateries when they're in the market to have their food inside.