Maplewood Food Trucks: Many Comments For, Not So Many Against

Currently, food trucks are not allowed to do business in Maplewood, which suits many Maplewood restaurants just fine. The board of the has voted to oppose them as well.

To get a more balanced viewpoint, the city recently invited anyone with an opinion on the subject to submit it to the city of Maplewood. At the Tuesday city council meeting comments will be welcomed as well.

Following, are some of the comments the city recieved both pro and con on the issue, along with the commenter's name.

Comments for food trucks in Maplewood

Julie Francois

• I see no issues with allowing food trucks in Maplewood provided that they are not allowed within so many feet of an established restaurant. (i.e. parking along Manchester in front of all the many great places we have there would be a bit odd and would not help business)  However, allowing them to visit large businesses would be nice or park in an area that is not near an established restaurant.  I personally see no conflict as when I want to go to a restaurant and sit down to dine I do so.  When I do not I choose fast food or find a food truck.  I work in Chesterfield and have traveled to various places in the area when I know there is a food truck because I want fast food and like what they serve.  I would think the same following would happen if trucks were allowed in Maplewood thus bringing more people into our great city if only for lunch. Thank you for considering this.

Darchelle Kane

• I live and work in Maplewood and I feel that food truck would provide a quick, cheap and easy meal at lunchtime for the businesses in the area.  I understand the concerns of restaurants in the area that this would bring competition but would also generate more revenue for the city.  There are still streets in the area that need work.  This is an up and coming neighborhood and it could use the revenue.  I would rather take a couple minutes out of my busy day to grab taco or hot dog or whatever than have to spend almost and hour at some restaurants in the area.

Laura Stone

• I support food trucks.

Ian Storm

• Though I selected ‘I Support’, I will say that my opinion is not 100 percent firm.  Food trucks in our community may bring folks around who than see how great our downtown is, what great restaurants and shops are there.  If we open our doors to food trucks, we show ourselves as a good community welcoming people from the other communities.  There should of course be some rules about locations and perhaps the number of trucks allowed in on each day.  The more people who come to our area, the better off we are.

Mary Killian   

• Let’s keep Maplewood a vibrant community.  Our developing reputation for food, fun and funky is making Maplewood a wonderful and desirable place to live.  We are somewhere between Mayberry and Metropolis so let us keep growing into our own unique and charming place.  From Tiffany’s to Food trucks......Go Maplewood!  We love ya!

Dan   

• Food trucks can bring more business into Maplewood due to the people who follow them on Facebook and/or twitter or other media.  yes, they initially get the food truck’s food, what if they see other restaurants/attractions in Maplewood and want to give those a try?  No one actually like jimmy john, they just like the convenience of their delivery service, so they should worry about getting a toaster for their sandwiches rather than a business (food truck) that has better product than they do.

Andy Roberts   

• I would like to see food trucks be able to visit Maplewood.  Near the old bus loop would be an ideal place to picnic.

Margaret Watkins

• I support Food Trucks in Maplewood, if they are not allowed to operate in areas where there are already restaurants.  Greenwood Ave would be okay, because the only food place is a bar which is really not competition.  There are areas around the northern borders of Maplewood, which would be good too.

Josh Kennerly

• I support food trucks in Maplewood as long as the area of operation is restricted to somewhere off of Manchester.   For example, the Sutton bus loop would be a good location because there is room for the trucks to park, out of the way of the traffic flow on Sutton, and there is an area for people to eat.  It would be even better if tables, benches, etc. were added to make a pedestrian plaza.  Food trucks could bring more unique dining opportunities to Maplewood, and make a positive contribution to our unique city.  On the way to and from the food trucks, people would undoubtedly pass by and spend their money in other Maplewood businesses.

Charles Hinderliter

• It is my opinion that Maplewood should allow food trucks to operate in the city.  They would supplement rather than harm the restaurants currently in Maplewood - they would likely draw more customers into the area.

Sara Trout

• The Food Trucks bring excitement to the neighborhood.  Something new something to look forward to.  People are friendly and excited while waiting for their food.  I think it brings the community out and together for a fun afternoon lunch.  This may also bring potential business to the community; while you are visiting the food truck, you may stop at other places along the way, or come back another time and shop Maplewood.  I think it’s a positive ‘way to roll’!

Ken Cohen

• I support a limited number of food trucks being allowed (given a license ) to operated in Maplewood each day.  How many? No more than three.  If restaurants are concerned that food trucks will hurt their business, I would answer by saying that the trucks will bring new “shoppers” to town who may very well end up being patrons of some of our restaurants as well as other businesses, and who knows, maybe some will move here.  You can’t be a vibrant community and totally restrict a current food trend.

Jennifer Swift

• I believe letting food trucks operate in the city of Maplewood will be good for all businesses because it would attract even more people to our city.  What about holding a food truck day similar to the one that is held in tower grove park and let the food truck park amount he green space on Sutton/Hazel?  We could have the event 1x per month int he summer and that would attract people to our city and consumers would then shop etc. at the local Maplewood stores.

Chrys Kramer

• I think this would be a great opportunity for Maplewood to attract some outside patrons into Maplewood.  We could designate a day of the week for food truck day.  That day all the food trucks would converge in a central place, like the new park on Sutton or Sutton industrial park.  Port a potties could be brought in and the license fee the trucks pay would pay for that.  Or don’t even have the potties, people don’t need them really.  As far as health codes go, I am assuming the county would do all the health inspections   If the trucks were near the downtown strip, that might encourage more shopping.  Something might even be worked out with Shop N save to use their parking lot.

Susie McGaughey

• Love anything new in Maplewood!

Meghan Goheen

• Food Trucks in Maplewood would be AWESOME!!! Maplewood is known for being hip and coo.  There isn’t a better way to keep us in the now then having food trucks.  I personally travel all over STL for food trucks and I see the popularity they have.  Maplewood would benefit for sure.

Chasity McGee
Why not?

Tim

• I’m all for it.  As witnessed on Food Network shows and Travel Channel, Food Trucks are making a comeback and if Maplewood is to remain on the cutting edge and growing the economy, we have to allow them.  As long as they are well maintained and get the stamp of approval from the health inspector.  The only think I would not like to see happen is them taking business away from established restaurants by parking in front of one.  There should be an area they can go that will not impact other businesses or perhaps a one day a week license.  I wouldn’t want to see one parked in the same spot forever.

Sarah

• I think they would bring the community of Maplewood together!

Christy Kramlich   

• I would love to see food trucks as long as they pay permit fees like other business.  Maybe we could limit them to once or twice a month.  I would love the opportunity to test out a wider range of foods.

Dale Ficken

• I support Food Trucks doing business in Maplewood.  Maplewood has been a trendy city for quite some time now and I think this would add to the city’s charm and variety.

Elin Asvaldsdottir

• Allowing food truck to do business in Maplewood will give everyone more variety to eat within this great city which is always a good thing!

Stephanie Nadeau

• We want Maplewood to be walkable, shopable, enjoyable!  By their nature, Food truck require you to get out of your care and WALK (or bike) to get your food, thus encouraging people to stop and look around.  Having food trucks in Maplewood would not doubt bring customers to the city from other areas exposing them to the many other great things Maplewood has to offer.  I strongly encourage you to consider allowing food trucks to do business in Maplewood.  Let’s draw more people in to our beautiful city!

Cara Crocker

• I have driven 30 minutes out of my way to grab something from a particular food truck just as I have often left Maplewood to eat at favorite restaurant.  Allowing Food Trucks in the area will have no impact on what local Maplewood restaurants I patronize or how often I go to them.  It will however make me a happier resident knowing that the food trucks have the opportunity to bring their diverse offerings to my neighborhood.

Emily Mccarthy

• I don’t wee why we wouldn’t.  They gather a good crowd that tend to leave as soon as they eat their food.

Jennifer Newell

• I see nothing wrong with the food trucks.  it gets people out of their offices and go outside for a nice break in the day.  It also brings variety, people get tired of the same thing day after day.  Just because one business complained, more research should have been done.  A city can not force people to only eat locally.  Some people only get a half hour lunch and the food truck is usually right outside.  It actually keeps me from skipping lunch some days.  What would be next?  Maplewood not allowing people to bring their own lunches too?

Mark

• Food Trucks would be a great addition to the Maplewood Community! I support them 100 percent!

Brenda Malloy

• I went to the C.O.M. website today to complain about the horrible conditions of my street (Yale Ave.) but I saw that you were taking opinions on Food Truck and it stopped me in my tracks.  I used to work at Sauce Magazine until very recently and I was the person behind Food Truck Friday in Tower Grove Park in it’s inaugural year of 2011. I am sure the biggest concerns you are facing are (1) Will This cause traffic problems?  (2) Litter problems? (3 - but probably most importantly) Will we tick off our rent-paying restaurants in the area if we allow trucks in?  1 and 2 are relatively easy to combat - (1) Allow the truck into that empty lot on Sutton by the Black Cat theatre and (2) If I am not mistaken, there are already receptacles in this area but also make the trucks responsible for their own garbage - may of them bring their own receptacles anyway so this should not be an issue for anyone. When we decided to do the event in Tower Grove Park we were praying that it would not anger our brick-and-mortar advertisers - especially on S. Grand, Morganford and S. Kingshighway.  What we actually found was that when the lines were too long for  some to wait, they would patronize a nearby restaurant.  Also, the crowd without children would then continue their night out in the area versus going wherever else.  This was especially true for the bars but also a testimonial I took from the man that owned the gelato place on S. Grand.  He wanted us to do the event more often because he could see a spike in business whenever we had the event. You also may want to consider asking Sauce to help you hold events at Ryan Hummert park for your concert series or just for the trucks on other nights.  I am telling you from experience that these are relatively easy events that bring out a really great element.  They are hop and fun and it really gets people talking about the city. As a *young Maplewood resident of almost 10 years I would really love to see our town take advantage of this opportunity.  Thank you for your consideration. *in my opinion

Jennifer Becker

• I live and work in Maplewood and greatly appreciate the food trucks being available for lunch.  I love the local Maplewood restaurants and frequently dine at them - but I also appreciate a change for when I want something different.  In talking with my coworkers they have all voiced support for the Food Tucks and feel that having them in Maplewood is a wonderful thing.  As a Maplewood resident.  I think food truck are a growing fad and Maplewood could provide a great space for these trendy trucks to bring more business into Maplewood!  I have always appreciated Maplewood’s forward thinking, innovative approach, and providing a welcoming atmosphere.  I hope Maplewood an find a way to make this work!!!

Jane Spradley

• I LOVE the food trucks that come by Sunnen.  Why would anyone be against them, unless they were a local restaurant that didn’t want the competition?  That’s against free enterprise.  I would prefer that the food trucks stick to commercial areas and stay away from residential.  That’s the only limit I would want placed on them.

Dennis Miller

• Since the Trucks pay taxes to the city and are held to the same high standards as brick and mortar businesses (health inspections, business insurance etc.)  I think it is a great idea.  This is no longer a fad and it gives people another choice of what to eat for lunch.  If you make some clear and concise rules of where they are allowed - similar to other cities have done it works fantastically.  Competition isn’t always a bad thing, what if people had one choice of which grocery store to shop in?  Move forward Maplewood.

William Nordmann

• I live one mile from downtown Maplewood and make the walk frequently.  I would love to walk to a food truck with the loud kids and have a quick meal.

Michael Hutchinson

• While I am not a Maplewood resident, living in adjacent Shrewsbury, I would support allowing food trucks to do business in Maplewood.  Working out in the Westport area, we have only recently started getting the trucks out here and it has been great for the area.  They are only here twice a week and I often walk over to try out some of the different trucks which come by.  I see these trucks generate interest and foot traffic and think if placed in an appropriate location could bring additional visitors and pedestrians out who might not have otherwise visited the area.  I think it could benefit the community and I would certainly come over to visit them on a regular basis.  I don’t think that they would really detract from business at Schlafly, The Post, Boogaloo, etc. because the types of offerings are different then most of those menus at the restaurants and people interested in going to sit down and have a meal are still going to do just that.  Thank you for your time and consideration.

April Brewer

• Several of my close friends have lost their small businesses in this economy.  I think when you have those who are trying to start a business of keep a business going, then any support you can give them is very important.  Having food trucks in Maplewood would not stop me from frequenting the establishments that I already love there, it would just increase my going to Maplewood to eat.  It certainly would encourage me.  I patronize Sarah’s Cake stop at my work in Earth City any time she is close so if she would be in Maplewood that would bring me there, and most likely while I’m out I would spend additional money in the area.  A girl can’t live on cheesecake bombs alone (although I wish I could!)

Karen Bishop

• As a lifetime resident of the Maplewood Richmond Heights community I have always supported local businesses and restaurants.  Over the past few months, I have enjoyed seeing the Taste-D Burger food truck in the area.  I do not feel that this one truck is a threat to our local businesses.  I am disappointed that this has been and issue with the city.  Please consider allowing this type of traveling business to remain in our area, as it feeds our fast-pace working environment and contributes to our city’s tax dollars.

Peter Wheeler

• Looking to relocate our business to Maplewood - we work with restaurants in town and various food trucks.  The can function together, but considerations should be made for the brick and mortar institutions in the city.  Such as keeping them off the ‘main drag’ section of Manchester.

Kimberly Rayford

• l patronize several of the retail businesses in Maplewood and would love to see food trucks available as well.

Matt Rath

• I am not a city resident but food trucks are one thing that would bring me to the great city of Maplewood.  I feel food truck are great because they are a convenient quick meal.  The allow people to go on a short walk and get outside.

Troy H. DuBose

• I don’t live in Maplewood but I do work there and think that the food trucks are great it gives you options when the same old restaurants just don’t sound good.  I hope you see your way to let them serve the city of Maplewood.

Kate Erker

• I work in Maplewood, and live right on the edge of the Maplewood city limits, and I fully support food trucks in this city.  Not only would they draw customers from surrounding areas, helping bring more money into our city, but they’d also get Maplewood community members out and about on days where they might not typically do so - leading them to frequent other stores, shops and commercial locations.  Thriving business is good for the city, and Food trucks sound like a great idea to me.

Sarah

• I work in Maplewood and would love to see more food trucks.  I love the downtown Maplewood restaurants and visit them at least a few times each week, but would definitely love a bit more variety of food choices that I can walk to.  It won’t make me visit the brick n mortars any less; it would just provide me more food options when I only have 15 minutes to grab and go!

Matthew Erker

• Food trucks in Maplewood are a fantastic idea that I fully support.  Food trucks would bring business and interest to Maplewood.

Anna Zamora

• I work around Manchester Rd, in Maplewood.  I feel there are lots of high-end dining restaurants but not a lot of unique options as far as fast, casual, and cheap places.  I would most definitely make a point of frequenting the excellent food trucks we have in STL  (I have tried some of them at Tower Grove Park) if they came to Maplewood.  All vibrant metropolitan cities and neighborhoods around the world have street food and food trucks, please allow this excellent trend to spread to Maplewood, MO!

Kirten O’Loughlin

• Food tuck are awesome!!!!!!!!

Tracy Coates

• I think that having food trucks in Maple wood would bring more people to Maplewood from the surrounding areas.  There are not a lot of place to run to and grab something for lunch when you don’t have the time to sit down and eat.  It would bring in a lot more variety.

Tighe Williams

• We saw the article about the meeting to be held concerning food trucks in Maplewood.  As a Sunnen Products Company employee, we really enjoy having food trucks visit our locations and would like to see them be able to serve all over the community.  Being a ‘mobile’ business does not negate the fact that they are providing a service to customers who WANT their services. It almost seems ‘un American’ to discriminate based on mobility of the business.  I personally live in IL and spend plenty of my earned income in Maplewood, from the gas station to the grocery store, as do many other employees.  So please know that people that only work in Maplewood contribute to the city’s revenue also.  Buying an occasional lunch from ANY location has NO bearing on brick and mortar businesses in Maplewood as we frequent the restaurants of our choice in Brentwood and Webster as well.

Jeff Pupillo

• Hello my name is Jeff Pupillo!  I am the owner of Sarah’s Cake Stop and Sarah’s Meltdown.  Two food trucks, one a cupcake truck the other a grilled cheese and soup truck.  I have operated the Cupcake Tuck since July 2010 and was the 2nd of the modern food trucks in St Louis.  I am writing to offer to come speak to the city council about the benefits of allowing food trucks in the city.  I am one of the board members and founders of the St. Louis Food Trucks Association (StLFTA) and have written and spoke to other city officials about how we can benefit the communities we are allowed to operate in.I would be happy to list the tax benefits of the food trucks but I am sure you already understand that side of the equation.  The real opportunity is to get people to come to Maplewood and see what a great city it has become and why some of them might want to relocate their business or families to the area.  Maplewood has grown up in the last a10-15 years and keeping on the trending side has always been one of the strengths of the City.  I am not here to tell you that food trucks are going to make or break the city but  I know with the right planning an guidelines we can offer the city additional options .  We would be happy t o discuss all the options and answer any concerns you might have. The STLFTA now represents over 25 trucks in the city and county and we have done a great job organizing not only our day to day operations but also some major events we help product int he surrounding communities.  I am sure you have heard of Sauce Magazines Food Truck Friday which draws 3500-4000 people into Tower Grove park once a month during the summer and has impact on the businesses in the area from the exposure as well as the overflow effect.  We have also helped organized events such as ArtFeast at Crestwood Mall last year to help drive people into the resident Artist shops.   These along with many other events have been good for the food trucks but also benefit the area and the communities involved. Once again, I would be happy.....

Michael Erkerd

• I think  allowing Food Trucks in the city of Maplewood is a fantastic idea.  I live just off southwest and have been enjoying the impressive culinary selections of Maplewood for the last 4 years.  If Food Trucks were allowed to service our area they would encourage even more diversity.  Additionally, many food trucks attract consumers from all over.  They’re naturally elusive and that makes them sought after.

Comments against food trucks in Maplewood

Doug Smith

• Maplewood has a lot of good restaurants and plenty of fast food as well.  The Restaurant owners make an investment in Maplewood.  The food truck owner takes his investment out of Maplewood every evening.  The streets really are not wide enough anyway.

Kiwi Carlisle

• I think that e have enough restaurants in Maplewood at present.  Food trucks would just take up already-scarce parking, detract from current restaurants and cause congestion.

Pat Maloney

• I really do believe that food trucks in Maplewood would detract from he many restaurants we have now.  The landlords in the business district seem to want to raise the rent on our various tenants and some of them cannot afford the raised rent, and leave.  I feel the food trucks will also take away some of the income of the restaurants we have now, and therefore between the loss of business and the raising of the rent we will eventually have more and more empty store fronts.  I am against losing any of the businesses we have now.  I think it is also wrong that the lease hasd been signed already for the new QT.  That quite possibly might put a long time ga station across ...

Richard Peat

• Food trucks will undoubtedly take away business from the local restaurants and be unfair as well as not pay taxes on their sales as the restaurants do.

Mary Peat

• I think it would a detriment to all our local restaurants.  It would be unfair competition in my mind.

Michael Jacks

• This is the last thing this city needs.  How many small eateries in Maplewood are struggling right now?  If food trucks arrive to take money away from the small independent restaurant, especially during the lunch hour, then many of us will be forced to close up shop.  (The Wood)