Food trucks roll downtown for ArtPrize

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - Some new restaurants have rolled into downtown Grand Rapids just for ArtPrize.

There are two food trucks parked near the Grand Rapids Art Museum this year, the first time that has ever happened during ArtPrize.

In June the city commission amended the food truck ordinance, allowing the vendors to operate in downtown on private property for extended periods of time.

That has opened the door for businesses like What the Truck and the Silver Spork to park near the heart of ArtPrize.

When the ordinance was amended, many owners of traditional restaurants were opposed to it, concerned it would hurt business.

24 Hour News 8 made calls and one of the closest restaurants, The Dog Pit, said they don't mind the trucks -- at least during ArtPrize because there is so much business to go around.

That is exactly what the food truck owners have found.

Last year, What the Truck was parked near the ArtPrize HUB. Now it is near the GRAM, and its business has doubled.

"This year the city did a great thing where they allowed food trucks to be on private lots," said Paul Lee, owner of What the Truck. "I think it's a start in the right direction."