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Normally I won't jump into a fray until the sides are unequal or it concerns me..but now I'm affected. I inquired to a friend about contacting a friend who occupied the space that was formerly Concrete Jungle on High St.; I was inquiring about possibly renting that currently unused spot on Friday's or Saturday's. I was told that although they no longer rented that spot they had in the past allowed a Taco Truck vendor to set up there during gallery hop. As you can imagine the next sentence that came out of his mouth "The SNBA got on us about allowing the truck to occupy that spot.". I heard/read recently how the Foodie Cart was shut down during a gallery hop and there are sordid tales from pre-packaged ice cream bike vendors and others about how the SNBA has curtailed their efforts to run legitimate businesses.
I am often amazed that we are becoming such a up-and-coming progressive American city and still in some aspects hold true to our past definition as a "Cow-Town". If a mobile food vendor has the appropriate licenses, Green inspection sticker from the Dept. of Public Health and a Peddler's License, insurance/bonding, practices safe food handling procedures and is a "real" business registered with the Secretary of State you ought to be able to set-up wherever you choose. And, I know..I know..not setting up shop right in front of another food establishment or event where free food is being provided. To make it even worse some of those businesses in that area got City $$$ ans SBA loans to start their business' as entrepeneur's--just like some of us--and you allow them to keep up the gangster/posse practice of running off street vendor's trying to make a living.
I guess maybe I'm just blowing steam at the seeimg injustice of it all. It has not affected us but we'll make sure not to set up in the Short North business quadrant, it doesn't seem worth the hassle..nor will I spend my $$ there. You should be ashamed.
Launched in August 2010, TheMetropreneur.com is a local online resource devoted to small business development and entrepreneurship. Its aim is to tell the stories of Central Ohio's business community, foster regional economic development and assist entrepreneurs with its resource-heavy focus.