Sister Bay’s Food Truck Court: What’s Next for Door County’s Culinary Hotspot?

Food trucks are popping up all over Door County, and there’s a new plan in Sister Bay to create a permanent spot for them. Mike Tomasian, a local resident, is leading a project to build a seven-truck food court at 10563 Country Walk Lane. The site will also have electric car chargers and a shared kitchen space for food vendors. This idea has gained approval from the village, but it’s still in the early stages.

Tomasian believes a food truck court is perfect for Door County. “Having local vendors and a variety of food choices is amazing. Why not have a food truck court?” he said. However, the project requires permits, and as of mid-July 2023, those permits hadn’t been secured yet.

The concept of the food truck court isn’t new to Door County. The region has been gradually warming up to food trucks over the past few years. Just a few years back, they were rarely seen, and many areas, including Sister Bay, had strict regulations or outright bans on them. For example, the Town of Gibraltar once prohibited food trucks entirely, but that ban was ruled unconstitutional by Door County Circuit Court Judge D. Todd Ehlers in 2020.

Statistics tell the story. In 2020, there were only four licensed food trucks in Sturgeon Bay; by 2025, that number has doubled to nine. Similarly, Eagle Harbor issued just one food vendor permit in 2020 but has approved two for 2025. This growth showcases a new appetite for food trucks that residents once resisted.

Despite the current enthusiasm, some local food trucks are cautious. Wally Vartanian from Wally’s Weenie Wagon expressed interest in the food truck court but also raised concerns about its impact on established vendors. “It would be nice if we could all have access to information about what’s involved with this,” he stated.

The food truck culture in Door County dates back to the Snack Shack in 1975, where locals enjoyed lunches provided to workers at the Sturgeon Bay shipyards. Today’s food trucks have transformed from rare sights into vibrant social spaces, catering to a diverse crowd looking for quick, tasty meals.

Tomasian’s vision for the new food court includes rotating vendors and community events. He sees this as not just a gathering spot for food lovers but also a place for the community to come together. With a projected cost of $1.3 million, the project is ambitious, but the potential for bringing locals and tourists together is a strong motivator for him.

The future of the Sister Bay food truck court hinges on securing funding and permits. Keeping the community in the loop is crucial, as the success of such projects often relies on local support. With food trucks now woven into Door County’s culinary scene, this evolution reflects both changing tastes and community needs.

For more detailed information about the ongoing developments related to Sister Bay’s food truck court, you can check out [Sister Bay’s official meeting minutes](https://files.heygov.com/sisterbaywi.gov/meetings/me_01hmfby6kcb6evsnnt3bcwj724/121923-village-board-meeting-minutes-approved.pdf).

Source link

food truck court