San Juan Bautista is on the cusp of change, with a proposal to loosen restrictions on food trucks stirring the pot within the local culinary scene. While some see the move as a way to revitalize the city's food offerings, others fear it could come at the expense of established brick-and-mortar restaurants.
Local restaurateur Jesus Zavala, owner of JJ's Burger, expresses concern that out-of-town food trucks could siphon profits away from businesses that contribute more significantly to the city's tax base. "They come in, make a killing, and take that money back to their own city," he argues. "They only pay for a daily permit, which is nothing compared to the ongoing taxes I pay to support San Juan Bautista."
Aaron Ricketts, a local food truck owner, surprisingly shares Zavala's apprehension. While potentially benefiting himself from extended operating hours, he worries about the impact on existing restaurants. "The last thing I want is for food trucks to come in and just steal business," he says. "San Juan Bautista has some local businesses that are already struggling, and I'm unsure how an influx of food trucks would affect them."
City Manager Don Reynolds acknowledges the potential downsides. While the proposed ordinance wouldn't impose a cap on the number of food trucks, the city is prepared to act if the situation becomes unbalanced. "We don't currently have a flood of food trucks," he explains, "but if it gets out of hand, it could definitely impact our brick-and-mortar establishments. We'll certainly be listening to their concerns."
Zavala, who has seen his profits dip for the first time due to inflation, fears food trucks could exacerbate the situation. "This town is small," he laments. "With more competition, there will be fewer sales and less profit for everyone."
However, Ricketts also sees an upside for himself. The proposed extended operating hours would allow him to cater to a wider customer base. "Right now, we're pretty limited in terms of where and when we can operate," he points out.
The city council is scheduled to discuss the ordinance on May 7th. This could mark a turning point for San Juan Bautista's culinary landscape, with the potential to benefit both established restaurants and mobile food vendors, or create unintended consequences. Only time will tell how the city will navigate this balancing act.