Thursday, May 17, 2012

Support Drift


Support Drift Food Truck!
Support Local Business!

The Story

Drift Food Truck has been regularly parked on 108 Street and Jasper Avenue since last season. A few short weeks ago, they showed up at their regular spot to find that they could no longer park there due to construction.

After working with their Street Vending Coordinator, they were able to relocate quickly to a spot on 100 Ave and 108 Street. Although they only park there 3-4 times a week, a nearby business owner has been complaining to both the City of Edmonton and to Kara and Nevin Fenske – the owners and operators of Drift Food Truck daily.

The Dilemma

Due to the daily complaints from the neighboring establishment, the City of Edmonton has given Drift Food Truck a deadline of Monday, May 22nd, 2012 to move from their current location or risk having their permit revoked.

Why Should You Care?

There are currently no clear bylaws to protect mobile street vendors. With more food trucks going live this summer, clear guidelines are needed. The currently guidelines that exist are as follows, and basically state that since mobile vendors are mobile, that they will likely be expected to be the one that moves:

Current Street Vending Guidelines

  • Where a conflict arises with an existing business, the Sustainable Development
  • Department reserves the right to relocate the contentious Vendor.
  • One roadside vending operation is allowed per block side.
  • Where a conflict arises because of construction or other unforeseen problems, the Sustainable Development Department reserves the right to relocate the Vendor.

Drift Food Truck and other similar mobile vendors work long and hard to establish a clientele in the area in which they are located. Having a consistent place to park where people can find them day after day is integral to maintaining and growing their business. Like any other restaurant, people make plans to visit food trucks and expect them to be able to find them in their normal spot, open at their regular times. These constant moves means that Drift Food Truck constantly has to work hard to ensure that regular and new customers know where they will be located on any given day.

How you can help!

Show Up to the Sandwich Flash Mob!

Where: 108 Street and 100 Ave, Edmonton, AB
When: Friday, May 18th at 11:00am


Plus write a letter of support for Drift Food Truck or call in your support to all of the following contacts:

City of Edmonton
Phone: 311
Twitter: @CityofEdmonton

Edmonton Street Vending
Phone: 780-405-9097

Ward 6 Councilor - Jane Batty
Phone: 780-496-8140
Twitter: @JaneBatty

Mayor Mandel
Phone: 780-496-8100
Twitter: @MayorMandel

UPDATE May 25, 2012: Drift filed an appeal with vending operations and have been granted an extension to stay at their current location of 108 Street and 100 Ave until decisions can be made on bylaws or possible changes to their vending program.

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