The Town Council took up the issue of food trucks in Chapel Hill again on Monday. But it needs to build off of public debate and pick up the pace toward reform.
This is an issue that has been addressed to the council before. Discussion at Monday’s town council meeting was a sign the town is taking the issue seriously, but we want to drive the point home that Chapel Hill should be food-truck friendly.
The council doesn’t have any concrete proposals for lifting the ban or regulating mobile eateries. This is a goal it should be working toward.
The Chapel Hill Restaurant Group has already come out against food trucks because they don’t want to deal with the competition.
Frankly, they need to get over it.
If a restaurant’s business model relies on a local regulation that kills competition to keep it afloat then it is probably time for the owner to rethink his strategy.
Restaurants like the West End Wine Bar — whose owner spoke against trucks at the council meeting — offer a completely different experience than the taco truck that sits right across the Chapel Hill border at the end of West Franklin Street.
Allowing food trucks would be good for Chapel Hill because it would increase competition and choices for consumers.
They can also be starting points for restaurant entrepreneurs.
