By Saundra Weathers | Bay News 9
LAKELAND — Food truck rallies are supposed to be something to draw more people to downtown Lakeland, but some business owners say those food trucks are taking a bite out of their bottom line.
It’s been a year since food trucks rolled into downtown Lakeland and so far the reviews are mixed.
Vendors from all over roll out some of their best cuisine on the second Thursday of every month, but some store owners say the trucks are affecting business.
“By us being not quite a year old, we noticed when ever the rally was taking place our business was down so we weren’t thrilled about it,” said Red Door Wine Market owner, Richard Deangelis.
Others welcome the rallies.
“It actually brings a lot of people downtown,” said Palace Pizza owner, Giovanni Moriello. “People are checking it out and walking around with their families and that brings in a lot of traffic. A lot of people end up going over there and end up coming here as well.”
One thing the owner of Red Door Wine Market and Palace Pizza can agree on, is that they’re getting in on the food truck action. Both businesses are in the process of getting their own food truck on the road to keep up with the competition and keep the dough rolling in.
Food truck rally organizers said since the events first started last year, it has attracted more than 3,000 people downtown.
