Food truck owners in Philadelphia are feeling the heat. Business is down, and many are worried about the future. Edward Bonilla, who runs the 5th Street Super Food Truck, shared his concern. “We’re not making any money,” he said. Since the city council set a curfew for food businesses to close at 11 p.m., many vendors are struggling to keep their doors open.
Bonilla explained, “We used to make our full revenue before curfew, but now we’ve lost about 75% of that.” This drop in sales is forcing some owners to make tough choices. Jose Reynoso had to let two employees go to manage costs.
The situation became even more tense for Bonilla after he spoke out about the curfew. Following his comments at a city council meeting, officials inspected his truck and towed it for an expired registration, leading to hundreds of dollars in fees. “I really forgot about it,” Bonilla admitted. He asked for leniency, but his request was denied. He felt targeted for speaking up.
City leaders defended the towing, stating it was part of a planned enforcement effort aimed at ensuring all businesses comply with regulations. They cited problems like expired permits and illegal hookups as reasons for the actions taken against food truck owners. “I just hope they treat everyone equally,” Bonilla said, expressing frustration at feeling singled out.
The nonprofit Institute for Justice has taken notice. They sent a letter to the city’s legal team, highlighting the timing of the enforcement action. If it was indeed in retaliation for the owners’ protests, they argued, it would be unconstitutional. The firm plans to watch how the city handles future incidents.
Food truck owners are hoping to convince local leaders to reconsider the curfew. “If they could extend it to 1 a.m., we’d be able to keep our employees and earn a bit more,” Reynoso’s translator noted. Many food truck operators feel the need for flexible hours to sustain their livelihoods. As Bonilla pointed out, “People need to work to live. Without business, we may have to pack up and leave.”
Despite these concerns, city officials plan to maintain regular enforcement. For now, food truck owners must find ways to adapt and survive in this challenging atmosphere.
For a deeper understanding of the legal implications that food truck owners face, check this Institute for Justice report.
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