Food Trucks: You’ve Seen Them In Bangor, Now Brewer’s Looking To Get In On That Action

For the last decade or so, food trucks have become a great side-hustle for people who may not have the time or space to dedicate to a brick and mortar restaurant, but have a great menu of things they like to share with the public.

They've become a staple down on the Bangor waterfront during the summer season, and if you go to almost any Maine festival or fair, you'd be hard pressed not to find a food truck or two (or more!)

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The City of Brewer has taken notice of the important roll food trucks have filled in communities across the state, and across the river. They've featured an entire section of them during the Brewer River Walk Festival the past couple of years.

Brewer's Assistant City Manager, Jason Moffitt, says that due to the interest of residents and food truck owners, Brewer is looking at their existing ordinance to see how they can better accommodate food trucks to have more of a regular presences in town.

"We've already lowered the prices for the food truck licensing and the new ordinance should be out in about a month. It's meant to stream line everything and make it easier. As far as the City properties the difference is, we're actually offering up some little pieces of City property that food trucks can use because we've heard from residents and city councilors and there's a lot of interest in bringing food trucks to Brewer."

Moffitt says they are running a bit of a test drive over the next few months with these spots within the city. If everything goes well, they will look into making those semi-permanent positions for food truck usage.

"Right now the places we're testing out, we have a city-owned parcel with parking at Maple and South Main Street. It's the former site of the old police department. The Archer Block Parking lot which is Wilson and Main, directly across from Tiller and Rye. The Parks and Rec Department up on Wilson Street. There's a spot that's kind of separate from where the Farmer's Market sets up. That's another easy one. And also we've identified a couple of places up at Indian Trail Park. It's be nice to have food trucks there for events."

They recently put out an appeal to owners via the City of Brewer Facebook page.

They're looking for folks who run food trucks who might be willing to set up their business is certain spots and give it a go. The biggest pre-requisite for the food trucks is that they need to have their state license and go through the City of Brewer Clerk's Office to get a permit. If they're interested in trying, they can reach out the Parks & Rec Department.

"Attention food truck owners:
The City of Brewer is currently rewriting our food truck ordinance to lower costs and streamline regulations. Over the next month, we will be instituting a trial period of allowing food trucks on certain public properties at high traffic locations. If you are interested in participating, please reach out to Parks and Recreation Director Michael Martin at 207-989-5199 or by email at mmartin@brewermaine.gov."

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Moffitt says this has been something city officials have been working towards for several years now.

What food trucks would you like to see set up in Brewer and where would you like to see them?