Group wants support for food trucks

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - Go Local Norfolk wants supporters of food trucks in Norfolk to come share their message of support.

The group will be at the 757 Creative Space on Wednesday, Jan. 23 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Go Local Norfolk says they will video tape messages of support and send in to Norfolk City Council.

The group said in a statement, "Against the recommendation of the Planning Commission, Norfolk City Council has asked the City Manager's office to come up with a scaled back approach, restricting the operation of food trucks downtown beyond the proposal endorsed by the Planning Commission, the Downtown Norfolk Civic League, the Downtown Norfolk Council, and citizens across the city."

They go on to say, "If you want food trucks downtown, you absolutely need to tell the mayor, city council, and the city manager."

Many restaurateurs in Norfolk are against bringing the trucks to the city, saying they will "cherry pick" business from the brick-and-mortar restaurants.

"Right now there are a lot of restaurants that are fragile, that are on the verge of closing or barely making it," said Baxter Simmons, the owner of Baxter's Sports Lounge.  "And they can't stand that extra competition."

Check out more on the effort to bring food trucks to Norfolk by reading Re:vision Norfolk's plan.