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Crowd Chows Down at Street Eats Wednesday

(Crystal A. Proxmire, Ferndale 115 News, April 1, 2012 ed.)

Street Eats Wednesday was an experimental event held on March 21, 2012 in the alley behind Rust Belt Market.  Mobile vendors such as Jacques Tacos, Treat Dreams, and El Guapo Grill came out to serve the thousands of people who came out to the food truck rally. The wait in line was over 45 minutes long for some attendees, but the general buzz seems to be that it’s an event that has potential for the city.

The City of Ferndale is currently considering what role food carts and mobile vendors might have in the community, and the DDA is asking for input.  The Wednesday night event showed that interest is there, though officials face the task of balancing that interest with the interests of the business owners – both mobile and brick and mortar.

Tom Swider and his wife Pamela were among the thousands who enjoyed the epic event.  “It was hopping,” Pamela said.  “And cool how the Rust Belt Market was open too!”

Lisa Gonzales Swiecki came down Woodward to get a taste of the mobile food action.  “I think that the food truck event in Ferndale is a great idea. It brings commerce as well as a sense of community. Although I live in Royal Oak, I consider the whole area as one, as I have family and friends in Ferndale,” she said.  “The food truck events seem popular, and people seem to flock to them without much marketing. There is a range of people, young and old, and everyone seems happy and excited to try different trucks, depending on how often the events happen.

‘I have already been to three: two in Royal Oak, and one in Ferndale. I have been able to taste the local food truck cuisine, as well as even shop the Rust Belt Market on a non-weekend! It is also kid friendly, and I have brought my daughter all three times. We even run into her preschool friends and families. I definitely think both cities should keep this event going. If anything, it brings people to our cities in a safe and fun environment.”

For Detroit GT owner Christopher Gorski it was yet another opportunity to have his famous truck Leo out and about, full of localized tee shirts for sale. “The evening was a huge success,” Gorski said.  “There were lines from all the food trucks. I would imagine over 2000 attended the event.  It is great for the city, another event that proves the progressive spirit of our unique town.”