Ferndale's food truck culture finds embrace... and opposition

Ferndale's recent food truck rally at the Rustbelt Market was a big success according to organizers. But it looks like our songs of praise for the city's embrace of food truck culture may have been a bit premature.

Though still more welcoming than many metro Detroit communities, push back from local businesses has started to complicate local implementation of a trend that has been enthusiastically welcomed in cities in like Austin, San Francisco, and Portland, OR.

Curbed Detroit examines the situation and has some smart buit pointed thoughts on the subject.

Excerpt:

"But what businesses seem to be missing with all the INF-ing is that there is such a thing as healthy competition, and a food truck – even one with its very own permanent parking space on private property – creates a destination and a little something urban planners like to refer to as “street excitement.” The amount of damage done to a brick-and-mortar business’s business is probably comparable to that of a Subway – and business owners certainly don’t have the option of demanding ordinances changed preventing fast food chains from opening next door.

Bottom line is if a person is seeking a leisurely sit-down dinner with drinks and ambiance, they aren’t going to see a food truck and say, “Nevermind, let’s just go here instead!” (Imagine how THAT first date would end.) Conversely, someone looking to grab a quick bite to eat on the go won’t suddenly be swayed by an attractive façade to stop in for a three-martini Mad Men lunch. The clientele base might be exactly the same, but each concept suits different people at different times."

Read the rest here.

Read about the rally here.