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Artigiano chef Rachael Grossman's fresh gnocchi. The Southeast Portland food cart successfully lobbied for a change in Oregon's liquor licensing rules for carts at the OLCC's June meeting in Bend.

A Southeast Portland food cart plans to celebrate next month after successfully lobbying for a change in an Oregon Liquor Control Commission regulation.

Tyler Johnston of

, the Southeast Division Street Italian cart, spoke with commissioners by phone at the OLCC's June meeting in Bend, arguing that the rule requiring that commissioners review each liquor license application was "unnecessary and unfair" to carts.

Artigiano's beer and wine application, which was recommended by the Portland Police Bureau and the city's Office of Neighborhood Involvement, had been on the commission's August agenda.

, "Johnston stated the delay of his license will result in the loss of sales during his busiest two months of the year which is a financial burden to his small business. (He) requested that the board reconsider and amend their position to allow food cart licenses to be issued in the same process as brick and mortar establishments."

The commissioners agreed with Johnston's argument, voting 5-0 to delegate future food cart applications to staff. Artigiano's application was approved on the spot.

, plans to celebrate with jazz and free appetizers from 5 to 9 p.m. Aug. 10 at the cart, 3302 S.E. Division St.

-- Michael Russell