Food truck owners gathered in City Hall yesterday to participate in the lottery for prime spaces organized by the City of Boston's Mobile Food Truck Committee.
Different trucks are competing for shifts in high-traffic areas, and the Back Bay has some of the spots that are most sought after. Room for these trucks is limited, though, and the City took steps to prevent any 2012 turf wars by organizing a lottery among food truck owners for the best food truck locations.
A letter from the City of Boston to food truck owners explained the rules of the lottery, which gives food trucks with who meet the highest levels of the city's "Good Standing Criteria" priority in their choice of spot, but rotates through the entire roster of trucks, including those who are new to Boston this year.
While it hasn't been published yet who is going to be in the Back Bay and when, plenty of trucks were excited about securing spots at City Hall. Multiple food truck owners posted about the event as it was happening in the Boston Redevelopment Authority's boardroom on Twitter.
As @RoxysGrilledChz said, "City Hall Plaza a big hit, all those shifts went first. #foodtrucklottery."
The Bon Me Truck, @Bonme, said, "good news: we're going to be back at city hall for Thursday lunch!#foodtrucklottery."
And the Staff Meal truck announced, "New lunch schedule for April - Gov Center Wed, Thurs! Stuart st Mon, Tue and Friday. Psyched! #foodtrucklottery."
However, at least Roxy's is thankful they get some time in the Back Bay, as well; later they tweeted "Phew! Still have our BPL lunch on Fridays! #foodtrucklottery."
The BBQSmith food truck will also be outside the library. As they say, "Some new shifts coming: Boston Public Library wed dinner & Thurs lunch. South end Tremont st for Fri dinner. Can't wait to fire up smoker!"
They won't have to wait too long; this year's food truck season begins on April 1st. According to the Globe, "food trucks shifts will begin at 6 a.m. and most dinner shifts will end at 11 p.m. with some exceptions. City Hall Plaza, which will close Nov. 1, will be open to trucks from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and have overlapping shifts during lunchtime."
Unlike the City Hall trucks, Back Bay's sites will also stick to the regular rules; they will continue year-round and stay open until 11 p.m., as well.
Laura Burrell
5:57 am on Saturday, March 10, 2012
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Our work includes researching health dept. regulations, completing the applications, menu preparation, locating untapped locations, and getting working with you until your truck is Inspected and on the Road.
Please call Laura Burrell, Mobile Food Consultant, www.discountfoodtrucks.com, www.foodtruckandcartsale.com, 267-738-1656
Laura Burrell
7:19 am on Saturday, March 10, 2012
At Discount Food Trucks we also offer 100% Financing Options and Payments Plans
Laura Burrell
Mobile Food Consultant
www.foodtruckandcartsale.com
267-738-1656
Alana
12:51 pm on Saturday, March 10, 2012
Another case of self-important city committees exercising dictator control over small business owners just because they can. Another waste of taxpayer money having these type of committees. Seriously, city food truck committee/workforce? Thank you Boston for wasting my property taxes on useless occupations.
Laura Burrell
10:20 am on Sunday, March 11, 2012
Hi Alana,
I am somewhat in disagreement with these committees excercising control over small businesses, but Food Trucks are an extension of the Restaurant Industry. Food Trucks as anyother industry has to be regulated.
The Restaurant Industry is a 600 billion dollar industry and IT IS BY FAR NOT A USELESS OCCUPATION. See statistics from the National Restaurant Industry!!
Do you dine at Restaurants, and do you grab a quick bite at a fast food restaurant? People who work in the Restaurant Industry from waiters and waitresses, bus boys, Cooks, Sous Chefs, Pastry Chefs, Managers, District Managers, Owners, STIMULATE THIS ECONOMY through EMPLOYMENT! In addition many of these positions are filled by HIGHLY educated People and run some of the most well managed Restaurants. This same quality of Management is exemplified by Owners and Operators of Food Trucks. By far, this is not a Useless occupation! Let's also look at the many Brick and Mortars who are buying Food Trucks!!!!!
Laura Burrell
Mobile Food Consultant
www.foodtruckandcartsale.com
267-738-1656