Whimsical custom-made carts add to vital street-food scene in downtown Madison, WI.
(Boonton, NJ, September 16, 2011) — Whether or not to allow food trucks downtown, and how to regulate them if they are allowed is being discussed in downtowns across North America. The difficult economic times make it more feasible for entrepreneurs to finance a food truck than a brick-and-mortar business. But some restaurant owners and downtown retailers are concerned about the competition, and potential noise, odor and litter that might accompany food trucks.
Many downtowns look to Madison, WI, where this capital city has won national awards for its farmer\'s market, diverse downtown food scene and an atmosphere conducive to small and start-up businesses.
In the September issue of Downtown Idea Exchange newsletter, Warren Hansen, the City\'s street vending coordinator discusses the many policies and procedures that make the program work. One of the more unusual is the focus on originality.
"We want each food cart to be different, so none are mass produced," Hansen. Many vendors build their own carts, while others take the specs to a manufacturer. To boost originality and prohibit chain operations, the City allows one cart per operator. The mix of food styles and creative carts brings an energy to downtown\'s streets that would be hard to replicate.
The full article on Madison\'s street-vending guidelines appears in the September issue of Downtown Idea Exchange.
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About the Downtown Research & Development Center
For over 50 years, the Downtown Research & Development Center has acted as the information clearinghouse on practical strategies and tactics for revitalizing the hearts of our cities and towns.
The Group\'s main activities include publishing the widely influential Downtown Idea Exchange and Downtown Promotion Reporter newsletters; publishing relevant books and reports; and operating the DowntownDevelopment.com website.
Website: http://www.DowntownDevelopment.com