Bringing street vendors to life in Cincinnati

By Randy A. Simes, UrbanCincy | October 14, 2009

http://www.urbancincy.com/2009/10/bringing-street-vendors-to-life-in.html

 

It's the smell of the roasted nuts while taking a stroll through Midtown Manhattan, the ambiance of the taco trucks in Los Angeles, the frenzy of activity and chatter in Chinatown, and even the echoes of the "peanuts, bottled water...cheaper out here than inside," from the vendors on your way to the game.

 

In so many ways street vendors add activity and life to our otherwise lifeless and cold streetscapes. And whether you're grabbing a quick snack, lowly meal, or are just passing by, we are all impacted by the life these vendors add. This is a point that William H. Whyte hit on in his 1980 book entitled The Social Life of Small Urban Spaces.

 

"If you want to seed a place with activity, put out food. In New York, at every plaza or set of steps with a lively social life, you will almost invariably find a food vendor at the corner and a knot of people around him - eating, schmoozing, or just standing."

 

And, as Whyte continued, "vendors have a good nose for spaces that work." So while it should be a goal to increase the amount of vendors we have on our streets, so that we're increasing the amount of social activity that is occuring, it is even more important to create the urban spaces that foster this kind of environment.

 

In Cincinnati we have the typical daytime vendor serving up hot dogs and other like delicacies, the standard vendors selling knock off sunglasses and jewelry, the game day vendors for Reds/Bengals games, and now Nada's new taco stand. But can Cincinnati grow its street vendor scene and foster even more lively urban spaces?

 

The fact of the matter is that these street vendors open because they either see a market demand and an opportunity to make money, or they are too small to open up their own store or restaurant that meets the necessary codes. In relation to this issue James Cox writes:

 

"One of the largest hurdles a developing restaurateur or chef needs to overcome is the initial cash outlay for a licensed and inspected kitchen from which to produce the food one sells. You need a fire suppression system in the ventilation system and a gas shut-off valve that is connected to the whole thing. You need a certain amount of space between the stove and the wall to allow emergency escape if there is a fire. You need NSF-Certified work surfaces and either high-heat or chemical sanitation systems in your dishwasher."

 

As Cox discusses the issue from a Portland perspective he then identifies the "Domestic Food Service License" that has been created there to allow individuals to make food for sale to the public out of their home kitchen legally. This simple, yet politically complicated, issue has fostered one of America's best street vendor communities complete with taco trucks, cookie vendors, chocolatiers, and a variety of ethnic foods. And while boosting the amount of street activity through additional street vendors, the policy has also helped Portland's thriving farmers markets.

 

For Portland it was less about the design of their urban spaces and more about the policies that govern this interesting group of entrepreneurs. And I would say that Cincinnati is in a similar position where our urban spaces are already well-suited for dynamic and vibrant street life. What is needed now is a more flexible approach to dealing with those looking to operate in such a way.

 

Let the street vendors grow organically, where they want, when they want, and how they want. Provide as few hurdles as possible and only require the information needed to keep track of the total volume of the street vendors. By embracing these individuals we not only create an avenue for more small businesses, and the grassroots innovators, but we can also create a better city by spurring more activity.

 

So what food vendors would you like to see in Cincinnati? Where would you like to see them? Is it possible for Cincinnati to facilitate an environment where street vendors flourish?

 

View images of various street vendors and Nada's new taco cart by viewing the original story here:

http://www.urbancincy.com/2009/10/bringing-street-vendors-to-life-in.html

Maximizing Cincinnati's after-hours street vending community

By Randy A. Simes, UrbanCincy | November 13, 2009

http://www.urbancincy.com/2009/11/maximizing-cincinnatis-after-hours.html

 

In an earlier writing I generally discussed street vendors in Cincinnati – the role they play in the social life of urban spaces, how Cincinnati’s street vendor scene compares with other cities around the country, and how the city might work to increase the number and diversity of street vendors.

 

Since that time the very exciting announcement has been made that two new taco trucks will be joining Cincinnati’s street vendor scene, and Taste of Belgium owner Jean-Francois Flechet has indicated an interest in creating a waffle cart to be used around town.

 

At the same time I noticed the revolving door of late-night food establishments has continued on its 360 degree angle as Balboa’s near 7th & Vine streets has closed down. It would seem that these late night establishments would thrive with the lower overhead costs of street vending operations whether they be trucks, carts or stands along side the road.

 

No longer would these businesses have to shoulder the burden of a 24 hour lease for a three to four hour operation. The new business model would also allow the vendors to travel about following the fickle nightlife crowd across the city. Heck, the reduced overhead may even enable the entrepreneurs to open up secondary operations in other popular night life destinations across the city.

 

From the city’s end it would seem to ease the tension of businesses opening and closing as frequently as they struggle to make ends meet in a low-margin operation, while at the same time providing the same services and social life that comes along with these businesses.

 

View images of BBQ and taco trucks in Los Angeles by viewing the original story here:

http://www.urbancincy.com/2009/11/maximizing-cincinnatis-after-hours.html

Coming Soon - Cafe de Wheels

By Dave Rolfes, UrbanCincy | December 11, 2009

http://www.urbancincy.com/2009/12/coming-soon-cafe-de-wheels.html

 

The trend of mobile food is nothing new, but it is still emerging in Cincinnati. Cafe de Wheels, the region’s first independent food truck, is expected to hit the road soon to start serving up delectable treats to Cincinnati’s hungry street people.

 

Cafe de Wheels is the brainchild of Tom Acito, and with a little help from Chef Michael Katz, it will be making its way around Cincinnati streets starting in the very near future. Focusing on burgers, fries, and Cuban sandwiches these two are looking forward to changing the way Cincinnatians enjoy their food. In speaking with owner Tom Acito about his choice to do a mobile restaurant versus a more traditional standalone storefront, he said there really was no choice at all.

 

From a cost perspective, he estimates that the start-up costs to open a traditional spot would run about $300,000 whereas the Cafe de Wheels truck was purchased and equipped for about $50,000. Another big benefit is that of course, he is mobile which will allow the restaurant to move with the crowd and also pick and choose when and how they invest their time. As things get started it will be just Tom and Mike so they don’t foresee staying out too late, at least initially.

 

“We’re pretty much just held to the same rules and regulations as a standard place without the associated costs of such an establishment,” said Acito.

 

Cafe de Wheels benefits from minimal logistics involved with operation the food truck. Outside of the required food vendor’s license, a peddler’s license, and tags for the truck, Acito and Katz say that not much was needed.

 

Acito said that Cincinnatians can expect to see them popping up around town wherever the local police force will allow, like valid on-street parking spaces. According to Acito, in the heart of Downtown they must stay off the street and use private lots where they have reached agreements with the owner of said lot.

 

When asked how these two men came together, Tom mentioned he had put a help wanted ad on Craigslist and Michael was one of many people to respond. Tom said that Mike just understood more than most, what Tom wanted to accomplish, and was really excited about the concept.

 

While Tom has not lived in Cincinnati his entire life, Mike has. He went through culinary school at Cincinnati State (then Cincinnati Technical College) and has worked in many kitchens around the city at various restaurants. His enthusiasm for the project shined through in our meeting. Cafe de Wheels is "back to the basics" as their focus is hamburgers and fries, but Mike plans on making it a bit more fancy with special sauces and other unique sandwiches like Cubans and his own veggie burger creations.

 

While there are other mobile food trucks in the process of starting up around Cincinnati, Café de Wheels is the first of its kind in that there is no restaurant backing it. The plans are to use as many local suppliers as possible to outfit the pantry and fill the fridge including Avril-Bleh Meats, Shadeau Breads, and even Dojo Gelato to accompany the warm fruit crisp dessert.

 

When asked if success could lead to a restaurant later on, Tom said, “That’s always been a dream of mine and this may be the first step, but for now we are really excited to get Cafe de Wheels out on the road.”

 

Follow Cafe de Wheels on Twitter @burgerBgood to stay up-to-date on their whereabouts, what they're serving and all the latest news surrounding the mobile food craze in Cincinnati.

 

View images of Cafe de Wheels new ride by viewing the original story here:

http://www.urbancincy.com/2009/12/coming-soon-cafe-de-wheels.html

I'm kind of surprised no one has been keeping UO up-to-date on Cincinnati's food truck scene. There are approximately 20 food trucks participating in Cincinnati's food truck vendor program which enables food truck operators to park at prime locations downtown (Court Street, 5th & Race and Sawyer Point).

 

The program is being expanded and will enter its second year. New locations will include Northside, Mt. Adams, Downtown and Uptown.

 

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/print-edition/2011/07/15/cincinnatis-mobile-restaurants-will.html

One of the most prominent recent additions to Cincinnati's food truck scene is Taco Azul...a California-style taco truck: http://urbn.cc/p1ts.

 

If you use Twitter, this is a pretty good way to stay on top of the whereabouts of some of Cincinnati's food trucks:

 

http://twitter.com/UrbanCincy/cincyfoodtrucks/members

Latest entry: Queen City Cookie

"a pink, elephant-adorned "schnecken shack"

http://soapboxmedia.com/features/041712queencitytruck.aspx

These are getting ridiculous. What I want is a big cart/trailer that sells chicken shawarma and falafel for $5 ala the classic NYC food trucks, not $12 hamburgers and $8 cookies like we're getting.

^^^real talk. You could eat at Senate for what Cafe de Wheels costs. $4 for fries?!?! AWW HELL HAW

These are getting ridiculous. What I want is a big cart/trailer that sells chicken shawarma and falafel for $5 ala the classic NYC food trucks, not $12 hamburgers and $8 cookies like we're getting.

 

Amen. I like Cafe De Wheels, they have good stuff, but for $2 you can get a hot dog off the guy at his cart across from the court house. He's a good dude and it's a good hot dog.

^I'd like to see the edge of one of downtown's surface lots dedicated to food carts.  We have a lot like that near my company's office in Portland and it's amazing.  You can walk over with a group of coworkers and have instant access to burritos, indian, thai, chinese, etc.  The stuff is fairly cheap and you always know where it is.  Food trucks are cool and all, but I always seem to see them right after I just ate.

Cafe De Wheels standard Cheeseburger and Fries is $8. Follow them on Twitter and you'll find they regularly offer $1 off orders if you know their word/phrase of the day.

 

 

 

 

Cafe de Wheels was complaining on Twitter that food trucks won't be allowed at this year's OTR Summer Celebration. I don't know if that decision was made by the city or the event organizers or what.

The cookie contingent has entered the truck biz

http://thegourmetfoodblog.deandeluca.com/the-queen-is-in-queen-city-cookies/