The manager of 2 Park Avenue near East 32nd Street is requesting that the Department of Transportation create a “No Standing” zone near his building to prevent the influx of food trucks. According to DNAinfo, food trucks have garnered complaints from the building’s retail tenants, including Crumbs Bake Shop, Pret A Manger and Europa Café. “Everyone… complains, ‘You’ve got to stop these food trucks. They’re taking away our business,’” Jose Toro, the building’s manager, said. “The last thing you want to see is a truck that sells halal food when I have Café Europa.” Toro also claims that a falafel truck left a trail of grease that cost him $4,000 to clean up, although the truck’s owner denies the claim, saying Toro is looking for any excuse to evict the trucks. [more]

A Wafels & Dinges food truck

From the December issue: Many equate New York food trucks with hot dog carts or greasy spoons.
But a glut of new retail food trucks, from Schnitzel and Things (which
can be spotted in Midtown during the weekday lunch rush) to dessert
purveyor Street Sweets, have added to longtime stalwarts like the
bright orange Mud Truck (which started in the East Village and has
served up brew since March 2001). And in this economy, many say real
estate on wheels is an appealing alternative to more expensive
brick-and-mortar retail spaces, especially for new businesses.
Food truck operators say there are several benefits to their
business model, including reduced costs, the ability to test out the
market, and the flexibility of being able to try different locations.  More