Night Food Market in Downtown OKC

[Thunder]

What about the organizations that have outdoor cookout/picnic for their events? Will the restaurants, ABLE, and Health Dept whine about that, too? Will they march into those events with armed guns frightening little children? Exactly. It have gone way too far. Can someone supply contact info for this Evil ABLE cult?

[Rover]

Why does the rhetoric have to get so child like?

The issue is simple. Were they in violation? If not, did the authorities act beyond their jurisdiction and charter? If they acted improperly and you are willing to testify under oath, make yourself available to the vendors so they can file suit. Also, contact your councilperson and legislator, or even the governor.

The rest of this is a PR issue.

[Spartan]

We Can have an outdoor food alternative, as soon as they upgrade the electrical distribution service and get the proper permits.

If you read what Steve said, don't just so readily accept the version from the "authorities" who may have acted over-zealously. I think we need some more information before we make a definitive judgment about who was right or wrong, so I would refrain from going there. My comments were relatively limited to the scope of the law, assuming for now that the authority's power wasn't overstepped--it's no secret that we have a problem with overly conservative laws regarding a particular agency, ABLE.

[Steve]

By the way - I'm not taking the organizers or vendors at their word either. All I know at this point is that I'm getting conflicting information, that there was an unusually heavy turn-out of inspectors, ABLE agents, city code enforcement for three food trucks.

[Spartan]

Especially surprising for a city code enforcement squad that is absolutely too overwhelmed to handle even half of all the structural code violations in this city, let alone all the shoulder-high grass and lawn parking lots in this city. It takes them months to get around to what they do accomplish. This does seem rather targeted, I must admit..

[easternobserver]

Before bashing the inspectors, realize that they would not have been after hours unless they had been instructed to be there -- not to mention that field employees from multiple agencies dont generally coordinate -- their bosses do. This smells of politics. As for electric cords, they may well have had a point, as undersized cords all plugged in where they were not intended and drawing lots of power is a real and serious fire hazard. Again, the real question is why were they there to see the cords in the first place? Also, easy on the "holstered weapons" assertions -- ABLE agents are sworn officers and are required to carry service weapons on duty.

[Spartan]

Again. Not to blame the ABLE agents for doing their job, but rather the legislature that created them, and apparently thinks they need to be armed with weapons? They regulate alcoholic beverages. Wow.

Did anyone get a photo of the electric cords? I just can't imagine that they would have tried running the entire operation on some scraggly extension cords.

[Steve]

Question: should the health department give food trucks more scrutiny than restaurants?

[Rover]

Even if the agents were in the right, it is a PR problem for the city now.

[dankrutka]

Question: should the health department give food trucks more scrutiny than restaurants?

No. And it seems like contacting someone before a full raid would make a little more sense. And avoid the PR nightmare that this has already caused.

If other businesses reported them then I really hope those businesses are exposed. They may be due for a little boycotting for pulling this on some very popular local businesses.

[Rover]

No. And it seems like contacting someone before a full raid would make a little more sense. And avoid the PR nightmare that this has already caused.

If other businesses reported them then I really hope those businesses are exposed. They may be due for a little boycotting for pulling this on some very popular local businesses.

I seriously doubt is some restaurant was so afraid of a few food trucks one night a month that they called in all their political clout to have them raided. But hey, if this is a widespread conspiracy of a few powerful restauranteurs and the state authorities to oppress innocent vendors, lets flush them out and punish them. Political corruption, conspiracy...big business vs. the common man. This has great entertainment possibilities.

[Larry OKC]

Reportedly this was a part of a Citywide crackdown. Didn't see anything in today's paper about other businesses that were raided. Did anyone else?

Which other ones were targeted?

We had 12+ employees in this location alone, how many other employees were involved in the supposed Citywide crackdown?

How much overtime etc was involved?

How many businesses were cited and/or fined or were they just "shut down"?

I know Steve is working on it and this is the weekend so answers may be slow in coming....

[BBatesokc]

I do know this, a reporter with KWTV told me they had a tip hours before the event started that authorities had it on good authority there were violations and were going to shut them down. I have the text message as proof. I just assumed it was BS.

[Spartan]

Even if the agents were in the right, it is a PR problem for the city now.

Right. It's highlighted a problem with an agency (ABLE) that has had very low public approval for a long time anyway. And I just can't believe for a second that Big Truck Tacos and some of these other guys, who have been doing the food truck thing pretty successfully for a while now, were operating their operation on a flimsy extension cord. The more I think it over, I am not dumb enough to be goaded into believing that by some "authorities."

[Thunder]

I do know this, a reporter with KWTV told me they had a tip hours before the event started that authorities had it on good authority there were violations and were going to shut them down. I have the text message as proof. I just assumed it was BS.

That is just stupid. HOURS?!?!?! All they had to do was get their asses down there and take care of it if they wanted to do that. What did they do instead? They waited until well passed the opening time to march in uninvited at the same time having joy of sending a lot of people home. They could have either give the vendors time to comply (but the goal was to most likely shut them down at no matter the costs at any made up reasons) and the public advance notice to save their time and gas on the trip. Nope, that didn't happen. These agents wanted to show everyone how powerful they are carrying loaded weapons ready to end an innocent life.

Also, I bet they are using this forum for advance tips. Pete should put up a disclaimer that agents will not be allowed to access and use information to cause chaos unto others. If caught, they must be required to pay hefty fines to Pete.

[Spartan]

It's posts like this that do sometimes make me wonder if you're for real, Thunder. I just worry that someone may mistake your post as an accurate voice of the anti-food market bust lash-back. I think we are actually being quite logical and reasonable in our critical assessment of the role of the "authorities" here.

[ljbab728]

It's posts like this that do sometimes make me wonder if you're for real, Thunder. I just worry that someone may mistake your post as an accurate voice of the anti-food market bust lash-back. I think we are actually being quite logical and reasonable in our critical assessment of the role of the "authorities" here.

Spartan, you should know that only those who are new here will take Thunder's comments seriously. And it doesn't take even the new people long to figure it out.

[BBatesokc]

I saw (via Twitter) where Ward 6 Councilwoman Meg Salyer showed up at 11:20 p.m. (who knew she was such a late night party girl) and then began Tweeting about being upset and how she has been in touch with city staff and has meetings setup for Monday to see what happened.

MegForWard6: "Checking to see what happened; was there at 11:20 and no one there; have been in contact with City staff and will let you know."
"Disappointed about 8th & H last night; wen't by at 11:20, no one there; have been in contact with City staff to see what our role was."
"Trying to assess what City role was; heard it was City/County Health Dept and ABLE. Plan to meet with staff on Mon."

(me being me, I couldn't resist replying to her tweets with "@MegForWard6 disappointed too. However, I wish u'd put this much interest in the rampant street prostitution in ur ward.")

[bluedogok]

I seriously doubt is some restaurant was so afraid of a few food trucks one night a month that they called in all their political clout to have them raided. But hey, if this is a widespread conspiracy of a few powerful restauranteurs and the state authorities to oppress innocent vendors, lets flush them out and punish them. Political corruption, conspiracy...big business vs. the common man. This has great entertainment possibilities.

It has happened here in Austin as the food trailer phenomena exploded into food trailer parks all over. The city since has enacted stricter rules for trailers but for many brick and mortar restaurants it still doesn't go far enough because they have more rules to follow that cost money. Maybe some of the restauranteurs in OKC have seen what has happened in Austin and other places and are trying to stall it before it takes off there. Most business owners do not like competition and many are more than willing to use the government as a means to create an advantage on others. This happens at all levels of business from locals to multi-national corporations.

[BBatesokc]

I don't know how far reaching or big of a conspiracy by restaurant owners I'm willing to believe - but I could certainly see a few restaurants calling in to see if this was a properly licensed vent and if they'd be inspected.

While hundreds showed up for the 8th and Hudson event - when it was canned, we dropped by Hideaway and it was basically empty at 9pm on a Friday night.

It will be interesting to see what Steve uncovers.

[kevinpate]

... we dropped by Hideaway and it was basically empty at 9pm on a Friday night.

Not to minimize the cancellation the other evening, but this tidbit just stood way out for me. When I think about the location, the expected value, the quality of their product, and that they are both a dining location and a bar, it's amazing to me their new location would be basically empty early on a Friday.

[Urban Pioneer]

I have tried to go over there a few times around during the week and noted their sign turned off. I think they might close to early some nights.

[bornhere]

re: Hideaway

I visited the one in Stillwater when I happened to be in town, and I visi the one on Western frequently. For me, at least, the Hideaway 'brand' is family-oriented, lots of high school kids and birthday gatherings. I'm not sure that's the image I'd want to take with me to the new location, which sounds like it needs more of the vibe the new Joey's has.

In addition, I'd mention that I didn't even know there was a new Hideaway until I saw it here.

[bornhere]

One other thing... I am aware of some past incidents in which businesses in another part of the city have been cited over violations reported for 'political' reasons, ie, from jealous/resentful competitors. However, in those cases, the violations were legitimate, laws were broken, etc. I'm not aware of a single case in which a business was shut down or cited for no reason whatsoever.

[Larry OKC]

I saw (via Twitter) where Ward 6 Councilwoman Meg Salyer showed up at 11:20 p.m. (who knew she was such a late night party girl) and then began Tweeting about being upset and how she has been in touch with city staff and has meetings setup for Monday to see what happened.

MegForWard6: "Checking to see what happened; was there at 11:20 and no one there; have been in contact with City staff and will let you know."
"Disappointed about 8th & H last night; wen't by at 11:20, no one there; have been in contact with City staff to see what our role was."
"Trying to assess what City role was; heard it was City/County Health Dept and ABLE. Plan to meet with staff on Mon."

(me being me, I couldn't resist replying to her tweets with "@MegForWard6 disappointed too. However, I wish u'd put this much interest in the rampant street prostitution in ur ward.")

Good for her