Food Truck Owners Challenge Unconstitutional Restrictions On Mobile Vendors
The Maryland Court of Appeals is expected to soon hear arguments relating to a court challenge against Baltimore's ban on mobile food vendors.
It's a scene that's been taking place repeatedly, as a growing number of food trucks have sought to challenge current restrictions that are in place which aggressively prohibit those business owners from serving the market.
A hearing has not been set yet, but those food truck owners are no doubt hopeful to be able to exercise their rights without unnecessary restrictions.
At the moment, for those looking to serve Baltimore, there is a rule in place that bans mobile vendors from operating within 300 feet of a brick-and-mortar restaurant type business and that drastically reduces where they can operate from.
Previously, the rules have been declared unconstitutional in a variety of places and therefore unenforceable.
They have been for this area as well. For Baltimore though, that decision was overturned, now they are hoping that this appeal helps to vindicate them.
For anyone who is found in violation of the rules, they could face fines of $500 or more.
For many people who want to perhaps open their own restaurant but cannot afford to invest in a brick-and-mortar establishment, opening a food truck is the best way for many to go, to test their idea in the market.
Unfortunately though, in many regions the state has unjustly sought to make it increasingly difficult for those individuals to serve others and earn an honest living.
Well established brick-and-mortar businesses have been happy to support this legislation along the way, bringing on rules that restrict street vendors so that they can protect their own market share. These occupational licensing restrictions reduce quality for everyone, they keep prices high, and they aren't in the best interest of the individual seeing as they are arguably unconstitutional and anti-competitive.
Yeah its hard to compete as a food truck vendor when your going up against the likes of McDonalds in DC.
I really like some of the quick easy options you get from food trucks and hope they continue to get these restrictions overturned.
Especially when there are some many talented people and diverse options with food trucks.