Some Lakeland food truck owners who were thinking of setting up shop in Cold Lake are not too happy about the price they may have to pay. The city has proposed that food trucks pay an annual permit fee of $1000, among some other new rules. City Council says this will help keep things fair between mobile and permanent businesses.
Chris Reid owns the Bushman’s Smokehouse food trailer, he says the numbers are starting to sound unfeasible for owners to make money.
“With that increase, it would be a 100% increase for me to operate there. Local food vendors that are from Cold Lake, it would be a 1000% increase.”
Reid was one of a few concerned owners at town council last night voicing their concern with the potential rules. Â He says money is a concern in the business, and new fees don’t help.
“We have roughly 5 months where we’re able to open our window and do what we’re passionate about. At the end of the day were not getting rich, our margins are really skinny.”
Reid says he scared the numbers will drive away some of the vendors he knows. Â Council has also put forth ideas of three day permit passes for major events and allowing trucks on public land at any time.