Food truck vendors win new downtown location

COLUMBIA - Food truck vendors say their new spot in downtown Columbia is good for them and hungry customers. But some people are worried about the impact on parking.

The Columbia City Council approved the spot in front of the Boone County Courthouse for food truck vendors last week.

Vickie McFarland, co-owner of The Big Cheeze food truck, said she believes the new location will give the trucks a higher profile in the community.

"A lot of people at the courthouse area or even by city hall, they don't know we're there so it's going to help us with business when we're downtown," she said.

The Downtown Community Improvement District played a large role in helping chose the best location for potential business.

Executive Director Bob Hohenstein said the council decision will add additional food and beverage options to the district.

"It's a totally different dining experience," he said. "It's one of those things the consumers and the citizens and visitors here in Columbia want to see."

But some people in Columbia said they're not so excited.

"It's more important for Columbia residents to have access to those spots than a food truck cause that's prime parking for people who are needing to visit the court house," Rebecca Shranck said.

George Nickols, owner of Lilly's Cantina, said he, along with other vendors, proposed many more locations to the council, but are grateful to get the one.

"Does the public want more? Absolutely," he said. "Does other people not want us down there? Absolutely."

Nickols said the new location is like an added notch in the belt and will add some economic growth for vendors.