News that the city now allows food trucks and mobile food vendors in downtown Aurora on weekdays should come as no surprise.
Once the wheels started rolling, as they did in 2017 when Aurora hosted its first Food Truck Festival, it was only a matter of time.
The idea is to allow “more dining options in Aurora” while also helping out small business owners, according to Mayor Richard Irvin’s press release.
Dozens of eating options were featured at last month’s Food Truck Festival. But this new ordinance allows only six spots for trucks at three locations, and only from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. three days a week so as not to eat away at the breakfast, dinner or weekend business of current restaurants.
The city is smart to roll this out slowly, as the beef has always been these mobile units can take a bite out of the brick and mortar restaurants.
It’s been a food fight played out in Chicago and other municipalities over the years. But the issue could have become even more of a hot potato in Aurora, which for years has struggled to get and keep restaurants in the downtown area.
In fact, one of the reasons Leland Legends closed its doors a year ago after several management groups tried to make a go of this restaurant at the base of the historic Leland Tower is because it could not attract enough business unless there were Paramount shows or other big events going on downtown.
The challenge has always been a chicken or egg issue. As downtown attracts more people, whether visitors or residents, it needs more services. At the same time, it takes services to attract more people.
But there’s no denying the city’s revitalization efforts are now enjoying momentum, with downtown Aurora looking at a potential for 1,500 apartments. And although there are three new restaurants set to open in the next few months a couple blocks from each other, that housing data clearly indicates there’s more room for eating options.
Aurora has toyed with the idea of food trucks for a while. But it wasn’t until March of 2018 – a year after the city’s first Food Truck Festival – that officials began seriously studying the idea, checking out what other municipalities had done and talking to established downtown restaurants about the impact it could have on their bottom line.
It’s no surprise there were initial concerns. But ever since food trucks were allowed to take part in First Fridays the past few years, these restaurants have seen for themselves their presence at city events did not negatively impact them, said Aurora Director of Communications Clayton Muhammad.
Folks would grab a truck lobster roll or taco, he noted, but then take the entire family to dinner at Ballydoyle, for example. Or they would come down for pierogi or a “Cheesie” for a big event but come back later for a beer and a burger or burrito at a sit-down place.
Bricks and mortar were not hurting because of it, Muhammad said. In fact, restaurants noted the “increase in foot traffic downtown was good for everyone.”
There’s no question that food trucks have become an urban trend that adds more synergy to an area because of the novelty and variety they offer.
“We want to move beyond that small town mentality where there are only a few types of offerings,” said Muhammad. “We are a large city that is growing and holding massive events.”
Elle Withall, who works with the city’s not-for-profit Invest Aurora, sees food trucks not only as a great thing for “community engagement and downtown activity” but also “a great tool” for business recruitment.
“The city sees food trucks leveraging their popularity into brick and mortar locations,” she added. “And what better place than Aurora.”
Roberto Avila, whose much-anticipated Altiro Latin Fusion restaurant will be opening in September in the former Leland Legends location, did not seem all that worried about them taking away from business, including his lunch crowd.
“I’m good with it,” he said, noting the trucks will attract a “different clientele” – those looking for a quick and less expensive lunch, while Altiro diners want a place to sit down, socialize or meet.
“Aurora is a big place and the downtown is growing,” he said. “There is plenty of room for everyone.”
Gillerson’s Grubbery owner Dan Emerson agrees. His restaurant specializes in burgers and serves alcohol, which isn’t offered at these trucks. And he says he’s already seen the increase in his own business from the added foot traffic they’ve brought to the area.
“I think it’s lovely for the city,” he told me on Friday. “I’m not too concerned.”
Nor is Endiro Coffee owner Cody Lorance.
“As long as there is a good fish taco truck, I’m happy,” he said. “We are excited for any and all development in downtown Aurora.”
dcrosby@tribpub.com
