MATTHEWS, N.C. — The fight for food trucks in downtown Matthews is on.
A town ordinance that's been in place for years does not allow food trucks, or any business on wheels, to take up space on public roads, right of ways, or parking spots. They must be on private property.
The Carolina Beer Temple on Trade Street has been hosting food trucks near its business without problems for years because the ordinance went unenforced. Without a parking lot of its own, the Carolina Beer Temple's visiting food truck would park in public parking spots.
That changed on April 17 when the town began strictly enforcing the rule.
Not just the Carolina Beer Temple is concerned. Neighboring Matthews businesses have signed its petition to allow food trucks in public spaces.
"The businesses are getting exposure and they’ve told me that,” president of Carolina Beer Temple Rob Jacik said, adding that the food trucks generate around 30% more revenue a day for him and create foot traffic to neighboring shops.
The town's planning staff said it's working on a proposal that would allow the trucks but with limited hours and pre-established guidelines. Officials are considering concerns the trucks would take up the already-limited parking available downtown.
Commissioner Mark Tofano told WCNC Charlotte he supports food trucks because they help create a thriving local economy, however, he has concerns about them taking business away from restaurants close by.
"For every dollar that the people spend on food at this food truck is a dollar that they're not spending at a restaurant that is really, literally 200 feet away,” Tofano said.
Food trucks have also been allowed during special events.
The town council is set to vote on the staff's proposal in May.
An online petition has been started in support of allowing the food trucks to return to public roadways. As of the publication of this article Friday, the petition had nearly achieved its goal of 500 signatures.
Contact Julia Kauffman at jkauffman@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.