Richmond food truck continues operations after complaints from other businesses

RICHMOND (WGME) -- Kristy Alexander, a Richmond resident, says she is doing something she hasn't done before during her many years of operating a food truck.

“We parked [the truck] right in our front yard," Alexander said. "So here we are, at our own house."

Her family operates the Ye Olde English Fish and Chips food truck. She says that the decision to continue business operations outside the front door of her house came to her after a misunderstanding with the town of Richmond.

"We had a really wonderful day downtown a couple weeks back," Alexander said. "It was very successful, and many people came out, but unfortunately there were a couple complaints from establishments that say we are coming in and competing with them."

Richmond's town manager, Adam Garland, confirmed that multiple businesses filed complaints with the town for allowing the food truck to set up.

"There were a few," Garland said. "It eventually led to a town administrator on Monday calling the food truck owner to tell her that we wouldn't allow her to operate on certain types of property or in certain locations."

He says this decision was a misunderstanding, and says that Ye Olde English Fish and Chips is allowed to operate on private property, as well as property that the family owns.

"They can continue their business as long as they adhere to state and local guidelines," Garland said. "The businesses that called to complain about them will just have to realize that they have every right to continue operations."

Alexander says she's still in shock that someone would call the town to complain about her trying to make ends meet.

"Our goal is to not hurt anybody else that is also hurting at this time," Alexander said.

She says the business is not making as many trips as usual, due to closures of fairs and statewide events.

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"All those events have been cancelled,” Alexander said. "So now, people have the opportunity to just pull up to our house hear, and we can bring the food right to their cars."

Other food truck businesses say they understand Alexander's struggle.

“Just trying to pay the bills is an uphill battle right now," Mr. Tuna food truck owner Jordan Rubin said. “Everything is changing week to week, we’re just trying to stay on top of that.”

He says his business has moved exclusively to curbside pick-up.

“We use the trailer here for people to pick up, which has been really nice so people don’t have to come into the building," Rubin said.

Both Alexander and Rubin say they hope the community will continue to support all types of local food operations during this time.


“Hopefully once this is over we can still be around," Rubin said.

"We have to find a way to get around this right now while making a living,” Alexander said.