RED BANK – Food trucks are currently prohibited in town. But there is talk they may soon be given the green light to roll into the borough.
During a recent borough council workshop meeting, Ziad Shehady, Red Bank’s business administrator, introduced the idea. In a later inter view he said it’s a concept the governing body is investigating.
“We’re simply exploring the regulations concerning business opportunities for which there may be a market within the standards of our community that can help the local economy,” Shehady said.
While no specific locations for potential food truck parking have been identified, Shehady said that if the idea progresses, only private properties would be considered.
“The ordinance hasn’t been drafted and we’re still in the research and feedback gathering phase,” Shehady said.
Some believe food trucks could further stimulate the Red Bank economy, drawing new patrons to the borough’s byways.
But James Scavone, Red Bank RiverCenter executive director, said he and business owners represented by RiverCenter are not necessarily warm to the idea.
“We haven’t had any formal conversations yet with the borough and, while we are open to having a discussion about carrying out this plan, overall we are not in support of food trucks in the parks or on borough streets in the downtown area,” Scavone said.
Scavone said, as it was explained to him, the borough is discussing allowing the trucks on properties that are private, underutilized or underdeveloped due to proposed projects that have fallen through.
If the borough is only referring to undeveloped properties, Scavone said the impact on brick and mortar shops and eateries in the downtown business district could be minimal. But it’s the ambiguity of the classifications that gives him pause.
“We don’t know what they are classifying as vacant land and privately owned properties. If that includes parking lots, there are a lot of those in the downtown area that could potentially be problematic for our business owners, not to mention parking itself,” Scavone said. “It’s a gray area for us and we’d like to have a better understanding.”
RiverCenter is a nonprofit organization founded in 1991 to oversee and promote the borough’s special improvement district.
Scavone said competition between brick-and-mortar locations and food trucks won’t be conducted on a level playing field.
“Food trucks may have a bit of an advantage because they aren’t paying rent or taxes,” Scavone noted.
If anybody understands both sides of this argument it’s John Yarusi.
Yarusi, the owner of Johnny’s Pork Roll and Coffee, attempted to sway the governing body several times over the past seven years to permit his popular food truck and others like it within the borough’s border, to no avail.
In November 2018, Yarusi finally claimed his piece of the coveted Red Bank landscape by adding a brick-and-mortar location on Monmouth Street to his operation, which also includes two trucks.
As someone who has flourished in the food truck sphere, Yarusi said the thought of additional competition doesn’t scare him.
“I’ll go on the record right now saying it’s a positive,” Yarusi said of the potential end to the prohibition. “I honestly don’t think the impact would be as harmful to businesses as it’s being made out to be. You’re talking about two different experiences and two different clienteles.”
Having accommodated both, Yarusi sees a distinct dif ference between patrons of his new sit-down restaurant and those who prefer to walk up and carry away.
He cited the most recent Red Bank street fair, an annual event that closes down Broad Street and Monmouth Street, and lines the roadways with artisanal and food vendors who cater to thousands throughout the day.
“Not for anything, but guess what I had parked right out front of my door? It was a food truck. And honestly, my business didn’t really take a hit. Other than the truck making it a little more difficult for people to see the place, it didn’t stop people from seeking us out and stopping in.”
Yarusi said he would welcome an end to the ban and the competition it would bring to the borough.
“It’s a good thing because it’ll add another level of competition. These food truck businesses are founded by entrepreneurs who are hungry to make a name for themselves. Their product is on point. That means you have to step your game up too if you’re going to survive. And that’s good for this community. It keeps everyone on their toes. It keeps you honest,” Yarusi said.
Shehady said a draft ordinance would be developed for future discussion.
