Downtown food truck tester urges Concord to lift Union Street ban; city cites 2021 ordinance

A downtown business owner told Concord City Council on Thursday that a brief experiment with food trucks in a Union Street loading zone increased his sales by about 50% and asked the city to permit the practice on a low-cost, permit basis.

Troy Taylor, who identified himself as the owner of the Basement Arcade Bar, told council he began booking food trucks in a loading zone on Union Street on March 1 and continued until April 12, when the city halted the activity. Taylor said his in-person sales rose roughly 50% on days with a food truck, that the trucks attracted people who then patronized brick-and-mortar storefronts, and that he believed a simple, inexpensive permit could avoid double bookings and make the practice safe.

Taylor acknowledged a city survey showed low response and that restaurants expressed opposition during prior outreach; he said the trucks brought new customers downtown and asked council to reconsider the 2021 ordinance he said prohibits food trucks from occupying designated parking spaces on Union Street. City staff noted the ordinance was adopted Oct. 14, 2021 and cited it as the basis for the city’s enforcement action in April.

Council did not vote on a change to the ordinance at the meeting. The city clerk was asked to note the comment and staff said they would follow up; the public comment period is a listening opportunity and staff will report back to council with steps for any required response.