Madison discovered long ago that Mobil food, in the form of food carts, is good for the city. Food carts bring diversity and unique perspectives to corridors dominated by corporate chains. They are an economic tool for upward mobility. They are a business incubator for new brick and mortar restaurants. In fact, the #1 finding of a study commissioned by the city of Portland to measure the impact of food carts was that carts promote street vitality and neighborhood life in high density downtown areas. They simply create a unique sense of place that can’t be replicated.



But, the beloved late night food carts of Broom Street are under attack! Nearby chain restaurants Pita Pit and Silver Mine Subs have been complaining to the Vending Oversight Committee (VOC) in an effort to get these carts removed. The actions of Pita Pit and Silver Mine Subs could put every single cart on that street out of business.



The carts have been very much willing to compromise, offering a variety of proposals. Pit Pit and Silver Mine Subs have not because their idea of compromise is that the carts go out of business. The owners of Pita Pit and Silver Mine Subs have repeatedly expressed a desire to have zero food carts on Broom Street. They claim it is killing their business, but multiple public requests to quantify the bottom line impact have been ignored. Worse, Cortney Palm, the owner of Pita Pit said to media and the committee that "she had no idea coming in this would be an issue" despite several carts vending on the street for years prior to Pita Pit's arrival. Pita Pit and Silver Mine are marshalling their resources, calling their corporate offices, getting other restaurants to complain, and sending a professional lobbyist to the Vending Oversight Committee in an effort to try and put the carts out of business.



But, you can stop this. A compromise will be jointly proposed by Alders Scott Resnick and Mike Verveer at the next Vending Oversight Committee hearing. Carts would be banned from parking directly in front of restaurants and enforcement of existing rules would be strengthened. This would respond to the restaurant’s legitimate concerns while allowing the carts to remain in business. Please sign this petition to support The Alders’ Compromise and keep the Broom Street food carts in business.