The food truck concept might be sweeping lunch hours across the nation, but it doesn’t seem to be the right thing for Brainerd — not yet anyway.
The Brainerd Planning and Zoning Commission will give Brainerd City Council a recommendation to deny a permit to Prairie Bay’s Side Dish Local-Motive food truck to operate within Brainerd city limits.
The food truck discussion is on the city council agenda for Tuesday.
Brainerd City Planner Mark Ostgarden said the planning and zoning commission didn’t elaborate on why it is making a recommendation not to grant a permit.
“They didn’t think it was right for Brainerd at this time,” Ostgarden said.
Prairie Bay is working with a number of area businesses, which could include the Westgate Mall and Essentia Health-St. Joseph’s Baxter Clinic, in order to rotate the food truck to different sites for meals. The Side Dish truck offers a select menu, including soup, sandwiches and take-and-bake pizzas.
With the saturation of pizza and sandwich shops in the city of Brainerd, Prairie Bay Manager Nick Miller said the restaurant will make accommodations so that their truck isn’t serving the same menus found at nearby businesses.
“We’re not going to serve a pepperoni pizza in front of Mickey’s,” Miller said. “We want to be respectful of Brainerd businesses.”
Miller said he was disappointed in the decision from the planning commission. “It’s not the answer we were hoping for,” Miller said. “But now it just goes on to the next step.”
Miller said he spent Friday morning in downtown Brainerd talking to local business owners and sharing ideas on how they could make the food truck concept work in downtown Brainerd. He said he found a lot of support.
“It’s a very positive thing,” Miller said. “It’s going to be a good thing.”
Last week, Prairie Bay reached out to social media friends via Facebook, asking for thoughts on the idea of the Side Dish truck operating in Brainerd.
The response had more than 75 comments from Brainerd area residents who stated they would like to see the Baxter-based business allowed a permit to set the truck up in the city of Brainerd.
Miller said he and Matt Annand, Prairie Bay executive chef/owner, are talking with Brainerd City Council members, area business owners, Brainerd residents — people who “live, work, and shop in Brainerd” — to share their ideas on how a food truck might actually make downtown Brainerd better.
“We’ve gone out of our way to do this the right way,” Miller said. “We’ve been trying to show what the benefits are.”
Miller said he understands the concerns of those opposed to the food truck, but hopes through continued dialogue, those concerns might be laid to rest.
“Downtown is my downtown,” Miller said. “Matt (Annand) and I don’t see ourselves as a Baxter business — we are a Brainerd lakes area business.”
Council member Chip Borkenhagen said he hopes the council will wait to make a decision on the food truck until it can reach a decision that works for everyone.
“I think we have to take this one step at a time,” Borkenhagen said in a phone interview Friday. “We have to think about the big picture.”
The concept of a mobile restaurant is not a new one and something that is growing in popularity in other cities.
“It’s a problem across the nation,” Borkenhagen said. “Or depending on how you look at it, it could be an opportunity.”
Borkenhagen said the idea has the potential to add a lot to a community, “if the community is large enough,” he said. “If this were a big enough city, we could absorb the hit.”
Because food trucks aren’t brick and mortar businesses, they aren’t part of the city tax base and operate with a city permit — which some feel gives them an unfair advantage over existing businesses.
“If you don’t think it through and just carte blanche it, they can really put an edge over existing businesses,” Borkenhagen said, pointing out that there is a responsibility to protect the downtown businesses of Brainerd and issuing a permit without first setting some kind of parameters will ultimately hurt downtown tenants. “We are going to be jeopardizing our existing businesses.”
But Borkenhagen doesn’t believe no is the right answer either. “That’s not what the citizens want,” he said.
Borkenhagen, who was elected to the Brainerd City Council in November said one of his goals is help revitalize downtown Brainerd.
“I want to make it cool again,” he said. “I love Prairie Bay, and I like food trucks — they’re cool.
“There are ways to accomplish this.”
Borkenhagen said he will recommend the council continues the conversation and works to build better parameters, one being allowing businesses within 30 miles of Brainerd to operate a food truck in the downtown corridor. “We’ll never know unless we give it a try,” Borkenhagen said. “Let’s just see how it feels.”
Council President Bonnie Cumberland said the initial concerns regarding the food truck came from the language of the code and whether the Side Dish is considered what the code defines as a restaurant. “The question is do we change the word to the code to allow it,” Cumberland said Friday. “I think we need to look at this a little more.”
Cumberland said she had her own concerns about the food truck operating in Brainerd, but she is not opposed to continuing the conversation.
“I want to keep an open mind to this,” she said. “We’re not in a big rush right now. This is not just an impact on Prairie Bay — it could affect other restaurants and businesses in the future.”
SARAH NELSON KATZENBERGER may be reached at sarah.nelsonkatzenberger@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5879.
Comments (35)
Add commentWow, P&Z...
There are so many greasy pizza places and greasy spoons, I think PB offers far more excited and tasteful options and reasonably priced too. There are plenty of places they could be without getting in the way of other businesses. Some of these pizza places need thinning out anyway...
We have to move forward and the council needs to be brave, gutsy, and be progressive. Come on....
Food Truck
Yes, it would have an impact on Brainerd food establishments. Maybe they would have to provide a better service. Brainerd should give them a chance. I would try them.
As it is now, if I want GOOD service, I must drive to Baxter. WAKE UP PEOPLE!
Food Truck
Yes, it would have an impact on Brainerd food establishments. Maybe they would have to provide a better service. Brainerd should give them a chance. I would try them.
As it is now, if I want GOOD service, I must drive to Baxter. WAKE UP PEOPLE!
Huh?
"It's not right for Brainerd"? Hey here is an idea, why not let the consumers decide if it is right or not. If it is not right, guess what PB prolly won't set up the truck very long. They are not stupid. They actually would be competing with me. But last I checked this was America, and they had the idea, so let them run with it. My goodness the government on all levels is so arrogant to think they know what is best for people. Instead of assuming you know, why not let the people tell you what they want with their pocketbooks. Man alive this is a pathetic joke. Get a clue.
The same Lefters
have kept this City Council in power, how long? Welcome to Obama's world!
In terms of City codes, what's the substantive difference
between what P.B. wants to do and what the food trucks do that are licensed to sell at auctions, sporting events, ...? It isn't the City's job to protect a similar business from fair competition, and it sounds like P.B. wants to be a good "business partner" with both City and competing businesses. Let them get up and running soon so they can get the kinks worked out before the busy tourism season.
This just isn't so terribly complicated -- why all the apparent angst on the part of this Council? As a former restaurant owner, I'm sure P.B. has been driven crazy by the indecisiveness and delays. They want to get back to work on their food product, not get mired in weeks of paperwork, meetings and indecisive bureaucrats. If conditional use or temporary permits are necessary to get this show on the road, that's probably preferable to nothing at all.
I'm with Terrybones on this
I'm with Terrybones on this one. Let the consumers decide, Not the gubment.
A potential draw to downtown
People have struggled for years to figure out how to revitalize downtown Brainerd. The PB food truck might just help do that. Their food is outstanding and somewhat different from any other restaurant within the city limits of Brainerd. Those folks who want to go to a dine-in place will still do that but this might be a draw to help those non-bar, non-pawn shops establishments currently located downtown. We have a downtown that is arranged in a manner conducive to visitors who might like to grab a bite to eat on a lovely summer day, wander down to have an after-meal coffee at a place like Coco Moon, browse the few specialty shops located in the area. Food trucks at auctions and sporting events are providing product for a specific venue; PB would be available to the general public. I can see the slippery slope the city is looking at. PB's food from their truck is very good but you do want to avoid opening the floodgates to mobile greasy spoons that can reflect negatively on the area and you have to set up a system of licensing that is fair. The issue does need more study. I expect Brainerd city officials to approach this issue with caution but also be looking at the potential draw that food trucks with quality product can be to our community.
Some well-reasoned points, Lakesfan . . .
but can we all agree that "continued study" by gov't. bureaucracy can sometimes drag on, while the business owner is losing precious time and resources? Can't the Council be thorough in their review, but also get a move on?
Bubba
I absolutely agree with you on the "continued study" comment. I would like to see some sort of conditional permit that would allow a business like PB to do business for a window of time. The city could monitor the situation for, let's say 6-8 months, continue to do its due diligence research, and then make an informed decision rather than just a knee-jerk reaction of "just say no." I see this type of food venue being a complement to the variety of dining options available in Brainerd. We do have plenty of pizza places and it sounds as though we will be gaining additional Chinese food dining options. Let's give this a try!
Go for it
If they are afraid to make a decision on a food truck then what will they do with a big one. We already know that.
I think there may be a certain number of liquor licenses, then how about a certain maximum number of food truck licenses.
Restrictions on where they can park and for how long.
The ones I have used have a schedule and go to the same places at about the same time. This one , I think, has a schedule in mind.
They didn't want the coffee place, car place and now the
food truck but we want new business, don't we?
Think about it city
What would it do to the other restaurants if Prairie Bay opened another restaurant in downtown???
Would you turn that down also for fear of hurting another business???
Take a walk thru downtown and count the empty windows.
Chip is a smart guy
And he's smart enough to not overplay his hand in this. I think he's telegraphed his position well, and is also saying that when the time is right Food Truck entrepreneurs will be there ready to apply.
One part of the problem with crumbling downtowns like Brainerd's is the way tax structure dicourages investment and progress. Properties are taxed on their current value, which is opposed to the real estate market, which is at least partially based on potential.
That means that as soon as a property owner invests in his property, he gets a big tax bite, making him think long and hard about upgrades. Yet his current investment still increases in value without doing very much but own and maintain it.
Its a very poor system to encourage progress and investment, update and facelift. The Food Truck concept just goes around all of this, even if the city requires stiff licensing fees in lieu of the taxes they cant get from the buildings that aren't being taxed. OTOH, the advent of non-brick-and-mortar businesses may force change in tax structure (and other rules and regs) that favors the community, not just a few.
Could it be that Borkenhagen is taking the long view, hoping to use PB and the Food Truck concept to drive change that works for more people, as opposed to making an except that favors a small group? I want to believe the council is trying to be smart about this.
Well, that settles it. Chip
Well, that settles it. Chip is in charge of the decision and the City Council. If he is persuasive, he can convince even Bonnie. He has a vision for Brainerd and that may or may not include a food truck.
Downtown Brainerd
Brainerd always seems to have a way to deter growth.
PB food truck
This is exactly why Brainerd is where it's at! City council has said far too many no's and not enough yes's to new business ventures. I guess if you want a pizza or sub, Brainerd is the place to come. If you want something a little more up scale, you'd better head for Baxter!
I didn't mean to imply
I didn't mean to imply that Chip is in charge.
But I do believe he is smart and effective; his opinion will bear at least as much weight as anyone else's, and in a "new council"...
It is a sad thing for Prairie Bay that they get sidelined this way; it could also be that that they recognized an opportunity they are uniquely positioned to take advantage of, and they wouldn't want to "share" that opportunity if the playing field is opened up for a larger number of entrepreneurs. Current tax structure can penalize brick-and-mortar entrepreneurs while "portable" operations escape some tax "penalty" Maybe envisioning a structure that goes after an enterprises' income-generating capacity (Fairly, of course!) independently of their physical location would be the solution, eh? Might even reduce tax burden for some?
Is government policy about helping the few, or creating conditions that benefit many?
I hoped the PB food truck would be given the go ahead. I had an idea that they could show up at my place once in a while and serve a nice lunch. I figure we lose about $500 in productivity when the front staff takes a long lunch because it takes too long to get uptown, order, eat, and get back. I bet for that I could buy a nice sandwich and a cup of coffee for everyone on the payroll, and actually get some value for that outlay.
Caterers can supply the food, but not the experience.
Historic Downtown Brainerd?
When a street sign points to a community’s “Historic Downtown,” you can almost always be sure that business and development is — in itself — history.
“Historic” has become a metaphor for “dead” or “past its prime.” Historic downtown districts too often feature empty streets lined with empty buildings, fading facades and boarded up windows.
This is a quote about Detroit, sound familar?
As long as you have city employees (I'm thinking of one) that do their best to drive away anything from planning and zoning Brainerd will just continue to die. Someday I hope that a Council someday has the guts to get rid of this dictator that just wants the citizens to obey his "planning" rules.
Very nice work by Borkenhagen
He's not ruling out some possibilities but laid out some clear and accurate concerns in advocating for holding off on this idea at this time. A tiny bit of research--IF people are inclined to even care before they start hurling zingers--would show Borkenhagen has done his homework. Other cities have had real headaches over this idea and businesses in those cities feel they are being harmed in a big way.
Maybe there's hope for downtown Brainerd with that kind of leadership! Thanks Chip! I am certain many businesses are thanking you as well.
Geno:
I like where I think you're going with this. Especially smart: take your office staff out to lunch, or have the Food Truck bring a nice lunch to the shop?
WIN-WIN!!
Too bad that's not an option...yet.
Geno
I agree that Chip is a new face on the council and certainly knows much more than several others. A new person can't usually come in and take control. But, he has a soft spoken manner and knows the subject so it is possible that he can
explain the pros and cons.
I think the food truck is a great idea I like that Prairie Bay has the idea and attitude to take the chance on the endeavor.
Good luck to them and to the city.
I can see
I can see that businesses might look at this idea with a little scorn: New ideas often kinda "steal" business away from established concerns. But we all like something "new", don't we?
The first time I was in Las Vegas, I saw ads for auto service companies that would come to your location and change oil, minor repairs, even clean and detail your car. That idea may not have started there, but its spread everywhere now, and there are some brick-and-mortar shops that don't like it. Consumers do, and will even pay a little extra to not have to deal with the inconvenience of scheduling another apointment. How many of us have stayed in a major hotel in a large city and noticed that it was attached to a skyway that put a lot of things in easy walking distance...shopping, food, entertainment, even clinics, dentists, tattoos and spiritual guidance?
Maybe we have to decide if we're still a little town in a rural area, one that can't, or won't keep up with the times...and maybe doesn't have to, being content with staying a little forgotten hamlet.
Or being a place that embraces change, new ideas, and progress.
"Permits"
Maybe we should petition the city for having the planner get a "permit" from the people to keep his office . That little dictator, along with his new partner in crime Gary Scheeler, are going to make quite the dynamic duo. They can take turns screwing business through "statute", "permits", "ordinance" and just plain old fashioned bullying. This city hall and council needs a big tube of laxative spewed on them so we flush them out of our city. The city hall is overstuffed with unelected dictators and the police dept. is twice the size we can afford. Brainerd's budget runs on 50% LGA, in other words folks, people in the surrounding area and all over Minnesota pay for the city councils horrible spending habits. We need to pack the council chambers next Tuesday night and demand Mr. Ostgardens (the little dictator) resignation or firing, after all, he thinks Brainerd is so wonderful he lives in Baxter!
A slightly different spin:
A slightly different spin: If Prairie Bay were doing catering to a Brainerd site, they'd cook the food at one place and, legally, deliver it to another location. So, the P.B. food truck is merely the vehicle delivering the product to their "catering customer" at another location (right outside their truck's window). Very little difference.
Pushing the envelope a bit, admittedly, but also pointing out the tempest in a teacup this might be. I understand that precedents need to be set carefully, but time is of the essence for businesses. From the vantage point of an inventive entrepreneur, lengthy permit processes and long learning curves (on the part of City Councils) squash growth and profitability. And, if other would-be creative entrepreneurs read articles that make Brainerd even seem unreceptive to new ideas, they may go elsewhere.
bubba
I agree with you on this subject. The city of Brd as well as most other cities aren't long on money so, this is a way to
show we are receptive to new ideas and new business.
Not afraid to try something new and find a way to make it work. I would hope if it doesn't work, the permits wouldn't be renewed.
In sorta good news, the Gopher hockey won last night and tonight tied in MN Hockey Day. I love it.
come on Brainerd
come on Brainerd get your head out of the past what more can you do to help this town die? second hand good license now no food trucks. lets not promote this washed up town I thought we got rid of this thinking when we voted in new members of the council , be fair only let them come in if the have a restaraunt
within 15 miles of Brainerd, pay there permit fees make them stay of private property and let them be on the same place 3 times a month that's fair and it keeps the venders down to a local comunity. that sounds like a win win to most to of the thinking people. let work with ideas and not just say no.
Backwards Brainerd
so SAD!!!!
I can see why a restuarant
I can see why a restuarant paying property taxes for their spot in Brainerd would be a little mad about the food truck. That being said I would like to see the food truck in Brainerd.
Rediculous!
I sent an email to my alderman, Dale Parks regarding my support for this, and I never received a response back. This is really PATHETIC that an elected official cannot even send a response to a constituent's email. Looks like I know who I am NOT voting for next term! If you live in Mr. Parks' district, please feel free to email or call him (his phone number and email are on the city council web page) to let him know about his lack of respect for concerns of those who elected him!
Fair and balanced
You sir are my favorite. You always manage to make any story about Obama even when his name is not mentioned in the story. This story is about a food truck and Brainerd Ctiy Council. Fair and Balanced. Change your name to "I will do anything to blame Obama even whenn he has nothing to do with it". Most of the council members were in place long before Obama. They make decisions that effect the lives of local citizens. with all of that said I would love to see the food truck in city limits. their food is amazing. If you like lobster bisque (I love it) then there is no way you wouldn't want this food truck around. Maybe we citizens need to begin to pressure city council into making decisions for us instead of themselves.