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New Port Richey council wants to regulate food trucks

Posted at 8:48 PM, Jul 31, 2018
and last updated 2018-07-31 20:48:55-04

NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. —  A two-month debate over food trucks in town may soon come to an end. City officials have proposed an ordinance to regulate food trucks and allow them in town, but some restaurant owners fear this could kill their business. 

"There's just no place for them," Jerry Kuss, the co-owner of Rose's Bistro, said. "They're going to be taking revenue from one of the merchants down here no matter what happens." 

Kuss said he has no problem with the food trucks coming to town during big events, but only then and only at Sims Park. 

The talks about food trucks started after some bars, like Ordinance One, started to bring them to town. 

"Food trucks have been great for us," said Brett Ciper, the owner of Ordinance One.

Ciper said he is empathetic to how the restaurant owners feel. But just like Deputy Mayor Jeff Starkey, Ciper believes food will benefit everyone in town. 

"We're not looking to take away any business from our existing restaurants," said Starkey. 

Ciper said he's noticed a huge increase of foot traffic on the days he's had a food truck parked behind his business. 

"The extra eyes leads to new customers and even new business in town," said Ciper. 

City council will have its first reading on the proposed ordinance next Tuesday.