Street vendors fight for new/old territory

Much like the recent hype of street vendors like the previously mentioned Kogi Truck, many entrepreneurs have come around to the business of street food. The NY Times covers the growing plethora of fancy street vendor carts and the hostile fight for territory amongst antiquated and unregulated vendor laws and permits.

“You can set your watch by it: park in a new spot, and within 15 minutes someone will come and check you out,” said Kim Ima, a former actress who owns the Treats Truck. Ms. Ima, one of the first upscale mobile vendors, had the tires of her truck slashed near her bakery soon after opening in 2007.

Much of New York City has limitations, and it goes without any surprise that the street vendor market is tightly watched by those who’ve been in the business for many years and vehemently defended when threatened.

The $200 permits are valid for two years and can be renewed indefinitely by mail. Their black-market value is tremendous: up to $15,000 for two years, according to a report released Tuesday by the city’s Department of Investigation.

I’ll welcome more selection, but I can see how it may get real ugly without proper regulation.