[OMS_MANAGERS] Food Trucks

[Bryan Pohl]

New guy here, but I've done some side work for clients who were opening a food cart court in Tillamook, and the Planning Commission had all of these same concerns. We will set aside the fact that these concerns have nothing to do with the land use approval criteria and simply focus on these concerns as if they were assumed to be valiud.

My argument is that they are also free to open a food truck, and that many successful restaurants have, in fact, started as food trucks. There is no evidence that if my family and I get dressed  up to go out downtown for a meal that we will just go to a food truck instead of brick and mortar restaurant, as they are completely different dining experiences (although your fast food joints may be losing business to them). The barriers to market entry are low and they support a vibrant, active downtown. I have yet to see any evidence that they detract from brick and mortar restaurants - just wild speculation from people afraid of change.

Overall, I think they are absolutely a win in bringing more people to your downtown, who will likely also spend money in other places. It isn't unfathomable to think that a family may go get barbecue from a food truck, then walk around and do some shopping at your stores, then grab an ice cream cone at your local ice cream shop. More people downtown with their wallets open is always a good thing and will only increase tax base.

Bryan W. Pohl, CFM
Community Development Director
1924 Council Street
PO Box 326
Forest Grove, OR 97116-0326
(503)992-3227
[CityofForestGroveLogo]

From: OMS_MANAGERS [mailto:oms_managers-bounces at omls.oregon.gov] On Behalf Of Darin Rutledge
Sent: Monday, August 17, 2020 7:34 PM
To: Oregon Main Street program managers <oms_managers at omls.oregon.gov>
Subject: [OMS_MANAGERS] Food Trucks

Good evening, everyone!

Looking for feedback on food trucks. They are popular, they are here, and people want them downtown!

Well, most people, except these people:
1) People who argue that they unfairly take business away from B&M restaurants; and

2) People who argue that they are treated more favoribly than B&M eateries because they don't contribute to tax base, EIDs, paking, etc.

I know how I would respond to those arguments, but I'm curious how successful downtowns have overcome these to establish a downtown-friendly food truck infrastructure, either with a good sales pitch or with regulations, etc. that "level the playing field".

Thanks!
D

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