The owner of a popular late night food cart is concerned the city is not helping ensure the future of his business, but a city official said the Vending Oversight Committee is working to reach a compromise.
Since opening Fried and Fabulous in April 2012, Steve Lawrence has operated primarily on Broom Street, prompting complaints from nearby restaurants, including Pita Pit and Silver Mine Subs, that late night vendors are taking away business.
“The underlying issue is that we have consistently only had one area where late night food carts could profitably operate and so all the carts go [there],” Lawrence said.
He said the VOC proposed limiting the number of carts allowed in the popular late night food area, and allotting parking spaces based on a lottery system rather than a systematic review system.
“The practical effect of the lottery is that, statistically, I’m guaranteed to eventually lose... and that means I go out of business and it’s not a compromise,” Lawrence said.
Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, said the vending committee rejected the suggestion of a lottery system.
“I’m frankly baffled that Steve is perpetuating a rumor that the committee is on the verge of going to a lottery system,” Verveer said.
He added the committee is working to reach a compromise that will most likely ban late night vendors from parking directly in front of restaurants.
“I’m optimistic that we can reach a compromise that Steve and his late night food vending colleagues will find acceptable and at the same time address the concerns of the brick and mortar restaurants,” Verveer said.
