Food Trucks Grow Into Restaurants

[Metro Jacksonville]

Food Trucks Grow Into Restaurants



Since the 2012 launch of Jax Truckies, food trucks have rapidly changed Jacksonville's culinary scene. Today, Jacksonville is well on its way to becoming a culinary destination with trucks now breathing life into the city's established commercial districts. Here are a few food trucks that have evolved into brick and mortar restaurants.

Read More: http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2014-may-food-trucks-grow-into-restaurants

[ronchamblin]

3. An entry point to owning your own business. Food vending can be an ideal first business. For a modest investment, it helps an entrepreneur develop a track record and build loyal clientele. For many immigrant and refugee communities, food vending offers a point of entry to the economy and a way to learn the food service industry.

The above, from Ennis' piece, illustrates how important the food truck "point of entry" eases the process for anyone who is getting into the restaurant business.  This aspect holds more importance than I had at first thought many months ago when food trucks were emerging in the area.  But it also tends to support the idea that ultimately, at least for the core -- occupying buildings is very important. 

Every building occupied is one step forward in the journey for revitalizing the downtown.  Perhaps, when Five Points, Park and King, San Marco, and other similar centers, become too crowded and dense ... "filled up"; then we might see more food truckies actually engage the core with brick and mortars.     

Let's wish success to the fellows transitioning into 11E, as they are so far, unless I'm missing one, the only former food truck entrepreneurs opening in the core.

Nice article Ennis. 

[fieldafm]

Bonos BBQ now has a food truck, as does Taco Lu

[urbanlibertarian]

Bonos BBQ now has a food truck, as does Taco Lu

If you can't beat 'em, join 'em?  ;-)

[ronchamblin]

Fieldafm and Urbanlib ..... that's an interesting switch ..... from brick and mortar to mobile truck.  Makes good sense with some businesses. 

It reminds me of how some libraries used to have bookmobiles.      A bookstore having a mobile book truck? 

[deathstar]

The building in which occupies Corner Taco has never looked better. Having spent my childhood in that location, when it was the 5 Points Deli & owned by my Uncle, seeing a thriving food place there is a great sight to see.

[fieldafm]

Just because someone asked me earlier.. the following food trucks also have a restaurant (or vice versa):
Bonos, Taco Lu, Big Johns Crumpys, The Pink Cupcake, French Fry Heaven, Mr Taco, Bruccis, Salty Fig, Corner Taco, Cravingz, Treemendous BBQ, Monroes BBQ, Leweys Crab House, Celebs Corner... and The Happy Grilled Cheese officially signed a lease to open in Five Points (after several months of negotiating), and Super Food Truck should be officially signing a lease downtown likely this week.  And another high end restaurant should be getting their licensing signed off next week and will be opening a food truck.

Nalus in St Augustine also grew in to a restaurant from a food truck.

[fieldafm]

And another food truck (Cravingz) just signed a lease to open a new brick and mortar restaurant on the Westside.