City of San Juan Bautista looking to allow more food trucks within city limits
SAN JUAN BAUTISTA, Calif. (KION-TV)- San Juan Bautista wants to loosen some of the regulations for food trucks.
However, some local restaurants and food truck vendors are skeptical of the changes saying some of the proposals could damage the local economy.
"They come in, make a profit, and take it to their city," says Jesus Zavala, owner of JJ's Burger. "I'm paying the taxes to that city is nothing to stay here probably only the permit for the day and the city,"
Even local food truck owner Aaron Ricketts agrees with Zavala, saying out-of-town food trucks could hurt the city.
"I would just hate for food trucks, you know, just to come in and just capture business," said Ricketts. "San Juan is kind of in a situation where maybe some of the local businesses are struggling right now, and I don't know how that would impact them,"
According to the San Juan Bautista City Manager Don Reynolds, there are about four food trucks are serving in town. Reynolds say with the proposed ordinance, there is no limit to how many can operate in town but that may change if the city starts seeing too many.
"We don't have this influx of a lot of food trucks, but if it gets too big, then we're going to have a bigger impact on our bricks and mortar," Reynolds said. "And I'm sure we'll hear from them,"
Zavala says this is the first year he has seen profits decrease because of inflation.
Now with more possible food trucks in the city, it could be another financial hit.
"It's been hard for us because this town is small and then you have others coming in," says Zavala. "So you had less sales, less profit, because they come in and buy from food trucks,"
Ricketts says the loosening up in hours could mean more hours he could serve.
"I will admit, we are pretty limited, as to, like, where we can operate," said Ricketts.
Reynolds says the city may change some old codes to allow more shops in town. The San Juan Bautista City Council will talk about the ordinance on May 7.
