Food trucks can now park in the village of Kingsley thanks to a recent ordinance.
Kingsley’s village board voted to allow food trucks on commercial properties.
Dan Hawkins, the village manager, says this was a long time coming.
“It was time to set some guidelines in place so that we’re doing things the right way, not stepping on too many toes and at the same time taking care of the needs of the individuals in this community.”
Food trucks can now set up shop in Kingsley if they purchase a permit and are 150 feet away from a brick and mortar business or closer if the business agrees.
“It’s a sign of the times. Food trucks are here to stay, and that’s largely to do with the pandemic. Statewide there was a push for outdoor activities, outdoor commerce, so you’re going to see more food trucks,” said Hawkins
Mojo’s Coffee is one of the businesses taking advantage of the food truck ordinance.
“It’s a concept I came up with, I was working at a quick lube, and Covid hit, and I thought I would take this time to create a coffee shop. I never made coffee before, and I learned quite a bit in a few months,” said Justin Orth, owner of Mojo’s Coffee. “I had this little trailer at home, and I thought I would open up a little coffee shop, so I started building it.
Orth says the customers are what keep him going.
“I love talking to them. It’s just amazing. You get to know people and their stories,” said Orth.
The village manager says Kingsley is the perfect spot for food trucks.
“There’s a lot of traffic that goes through here, at least 7,000 vehicles a day,” said Hawkins. “We’re a connector between two major state truck lines 1-31 and 37. Businesses see this as an opportunity to give it a try.
And a great way to test out a business concept.
“A lot of businesses utilize food trucks as their quote-on-quote market analysis,” said Hawkins. “They’re testing the waters, there putting their toes in the water to see if their business might be a business to want to make a bigger commitment, start leasing a building or build a building.”
If there is an event in Kingsley, a food truck would need to get a permit from the village but won’t have to pay for it.
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