Open Letter Re: Food Trucks in Steveston Village
Laura Wicks
HR Professional with full cycle experience in union and non-union environments. Demonstrated ability to partner on complex employee matters using educated judgment and exceptional interpersonal skills.
Attn: City of Richmond
Mayor Malcolm Brodie
Richmond City Council
Cc: Steveston Merchants Association
First and foremost, thank you for taking the time to read this letter.
As someone born and raised just outside Steveston Village, I am shocked and saddened by the recent actions of a minuet group of businesses in the Village and the upholding of this behaviour by the City of Richmond.
Salty’s Lobster Shack and Shameless Buns have been operating in Steveston Village for over a month now, partnering with Steveston Hub, a non-profit community organization, by renting out their private lot for operation. I understand they went through all the appropriate avenues and jumped through all the necessary hoops at the time to obtain their business licenses from the City.
They then had to find out from the media that their business licenses would possibly be revoked due to complaints from a small group of businesses and locals in the area. Businesses whose time would be better spent adjusting and evolving their professional strategies to attract new customers (given the sharp decline in tourists due to COVID) as opposed to attacking and bullying new small businesses in the Village yet again.
It seems this isn’t the first time owners of a select group of businesses in Steveston have acted like school children and tried to push out new additions to the community. The owner of Shelf was compelled to share her story on Instagram (@shopatshelf) of a neighboring restaurant actively trying to suffocate her brick and mortar shop, which she has since closed as a result, after hearing about the controversy of food trucks being in Steveston Village. As this story continues to gain traction, it is coming to light that some legacy businesses have a monopoly in the area, possibly due to personal ties to City Council, and that this is far from an isolated incident.
On April 26th, Shameless Buns and Steveston Hub advocated for food trucks at the City Council Meeting. In a disappointing display, Council members appeared to already have their minds made up as they did not address one point brought up by either party, and completely ignored Steveston Hub as a relevant stakeholder. In particular, Councillor Day seemed more focused on delivering a patronizing monologue than actually asking a question. The proposal to move the trucks out of the Village would result in considerably less foot traffic for the businesses, and does not take into account the negative effect on the Hub. Steveston Hub is currently earning rent from both food trucks, and would continue to do so until the end of the summer, earnings which directly fund their initiatives and funnel right back into the community.
Both of these food trucks have large followings on social media and it’s common for patrons to visit them wherever they are and then frequent other businesses in the area, making Steveston Village the perfect location. Having been to both of these establishments on multiple occasions, I can confirm as a consumer that COVID protocols, including physical distancing, are followed to the tee.
The City has not disclosed which businesses submitted the complaints, and fair enough due to protection of privacy, but I’m curious why the owners choose to hide in the shadows as opposed to sharing their side and presenting data proving the presence of these food trucks has had a negative impact on their businesses - my guess would be because such data doesn’t exist. The burden of proof should be on the individuals who complained, and that proof should be made available to the public if any action is going to be taken against the food trucks.
In a time where all businesses are just trying to survive, established members of the community should be looking to lift up new additions that are bringing increased traffic and value to the area, and not instead bullying them and trying to run them out of town.
I implore the City of Richmond to listen to what the public is screaming at you. We are fed up with the childish behaviour exhibited by a small group of business owners, we crave increased diversity and new additions to Steveston Village, and we support food trucks being a part of our community.
Please don’t cow down to bullies and reward these antics, such a response only means this will continue to happen to new businesses, will drive away new interest in the area, and Steveston Village will become a shell of its former self.
Sincerely,
Laura Wicks
Commercial Specialist | Helping Small Business Owners | Contractors | Restaurants |
3 年Well said Laura. I've recently joined an insurance brokerage where one of my specialities is helping food truck operators obtain insurance coverage for their trucks. Its so regarding for myself to help these entrepreneurs so this is very disheartening at the best of times let alone during COVID. Thanks!
Creative - Compassionate - Dedicated
3 年Well written Laura Wicks , as someone who has worked in Steveston and has some very personal ties to that community , it was sad to see the same 'mean girls'/'clique' group of merchants/locals so unwelcoming to this great idea. Hoping the mayor and city makes things right , and would like to see the data these 'shadow' people claim to have on how it's so damaging... The only change I would suggest would be better placement and use of the space. Having the patrons lining the sidewalks , making others walk into the streets wasn't very safe , but I think right now that's the 'norm' with the volume of visitors to the area of the village. Add some social distancing guidelines and create a lineup system and it's a GREAT opportunity for the village community! ??