Recreation staff planning Food Truck Fridays at Ridge Ferry Park

The Latest Local News from the Rome News

Lunchtime neared, and Kippy Shea suddenly realized Crawdaddy’s Cajun and Creole Cuisine food truck sat in downtown Rome.

She hurried to the parking lot at Second Avenue and East Second Street, placed her order and soon had her food.

“I just realized they were here on Thursday,” Shea said as she returned to her vehicle. “I’m new to the area.”

Dereck Brady, owner of Crawdaddy’s, would like his customers to have a spot to sit and enjoy their meals. He currently has different locations throughout the week where he sets up shop. People buy their food and then leave.

Wendy Reid, interim director of the Rome-Floyd Parks & Recreation Authority, has a plan to fix that problem.

Food Truck Friday, a concept still in its infancy, is the brainchild of recreation department staff. The idea is simple: Pick a day, invite food trucks to a single location and watch the people come.

Add the possibility of inflatables for kids along with live music and a new summer event is created.

“We just think it would be a really unique idea and dining experience,” Reid said. “It is in the early planning stages. Since the warmer weather’s here we want to get the ball rolling.”

The idea isn’t new. A local businessman tried months ago to open Chow Town Park, a food truck park at Shorter Avenue and South Division Street. He opted against it because of city code requirements.

At the time Reid didn’t move forward with Food Truck Friday in anticipation of Chow Town, but she revived the plan earlier this year.

Reid is eyeing Ridge Ferry Park as a site. It’s a central location, owned by the city of Rome, with plenty of space, picnic tables and large trees providing cover.

Reid said she’s already spoken with Sue Hiller, director of the city’s Planning Department, about having food trucks at the park. Hiller advised Reid to contact the fire marshal and county health department.

Health officials advised Reid to invite only food trucks with permits.

Reid anticipates no charge to attendees, though vendors likely would pay something to sell their food.

Brady has no issue with paying a fee, depending on its cost.

“The food truck population is growing here in the city, and it would be a good thing,” he said of the concept.

Brady doesn’t see Food Truck Friday as competition. Instead, more trucks would draw more people, who would select items from different trucks.

“I’d like to see it happen,” Brady said. “I think the city’s ready for it.”

Shea certainly is.

“I think it would be a cool thing to do,” she said.

Source: Rome News

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