The Vending Oversight Committee unanimously approved a proposed compromise between late-night food cart vendors and restaurant owners on Broom Street Wednesday, along with an amendment extending the hours downtown cafes are permitted to serve alcohol.
The late night vending plan, which limits food cart parking spaces on Broom Street, comes after months of heated debates between permanent restaurants and food cart vendors. The VOC heard complaints throughout the process from restaurants––namely Pita Pit and Silver Mine Subs––about food carts parking directly outside their establishments and detracting from their businesses.
The proposed map, which will now go to Common Council for final approval at its April 30 meeting, prevents late-night vendors from parking in spots immediately outside Pita Pit.
Steve Lawrence, owner of the Fried and Fabulous food cart, said he feels the compromise is fair to both food carts and restaurants.
“I think this is a balanced compromise which directly responds to the complaints raised by the restaurants, while allowing the food carts to remain in business,” Lawrence said.
Pita Pit owner Cortney Palm, Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, and Ald. Scott Resnick, District 8, also support the proposal.
Resnick said he expects Common Council will approve the proposal, and added the plan would “make things quite a bit easier on Broom Street.” Lawrence agreed, but said the plan is only the first step.
“It’s on the right track, but it’s not a perfect solution,” Lawrence said. “We shouldn’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good.”
In addition to the food cart compromise, the VOC approved a proposal extending the time Capitol Square and State Street restaurants can serve alcohol in their sidewalk seating areas from the current time of 11:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Resnick supported the plan, which he co-sponsored with Verveer, and said it would help the Alcohol License Review Committee enforce their rules “as long as the entire city is on the same page.”
