Colleges

I am assuming a hot dog cart would do well in front of a college however what if they have their own cafe that sells dogs, would you still park there?

Most every college will have food service and cafeterias. College campuses are usually big places with miles of streets surrounding it. If I wanted to set up near a campus I wouldn't be bothered by their offerings.

yes i wouldnt be bothered by their offerings either, but i went to my local college here and they told me i couldnt park on their property because they already had a food service contract with another company etc..even after hours like at midnight etc..

so my only option if i want to still try with this college is to hopefully get a spot in the surrounding area where i will be able to set up my trolley trailer...not sure if the police with allow it or not, but im sure ill find out...

quote:

Originally posted by trolleymassso my only option if i want to still try with this college is to hopefully get a spot in the surrounding area where i will be able to set up my trailer...not sure if the police with allow it or not, but im sure ill find out

Nightshift, Trolleymass
You can just about bet that the company that holds the food contract for the school or any large business that has in house food service will call the health department, zoning, and the police if you start to make even a small dent in their lunch business. I'm talking about facilities like hospitals, factories, insurance companies, government buildings, what ever. As soon as they see your cart, truck, or trailer they will get on the phone to whom ever they think may be able to get you closed, or moved far away from what they consider their kingdom. I have been through that twice now, and it was only the most recent time that my health department inspector let it slip why he was at my stand. You'd be shocked at how quickly a mayor of a city will call everyone and anyone that works for him if the complaint comes from the head of a large institution or company. So you had better have your ducks in a row and all the permissions in writing before you ever open your doors. And asking here on line isn't going to net you anything but guess work so go in person and talk to your HD, your Zoning Department, your local PD and get their answer in writing so that there is no mistake in what they said. After you speak with them in person send a letter (the same day) not an email and go over everything you talked about point by point spelling out every detail and ask them to confirm that you both understood all of the points. And if you'll be in total compliance if you follow those points as written. Keep those written records with you when they come knocking on your door. And they will come you can bet.
Good Luck
Jack
PS Trolley why are you calling your trailer a Trolley? Where are you from?

While in college Marriott was the contracted food service on campus, and they would not allow anyone outsiders on campus, and on several occaisions had campus security escort the violator off campus.

if the foodservice is going to pay mega $$$$ to the college/university to be the X univ's foodservice, they have every right to defend their territory.

they can defend "their" territory all they want, but i wont be on THEIR territory, just NEAR it so hopefully there is nothing they can do...anyway, i am not going to be there during lunch hours at all so there wont be any competition. what i want to do is to work there when the food service places are almost always closed, during "off" times, like at 11pm or 12am....when the college kids are hungry and have alot of munchies etc...so hopefully they wont mind me being near them then....

im trolleymass because i live in mass and i am going to be serving my breakfast/lunch/late nite munchies out of an old fashioned trolley-trailer...

quote:

Originally posted by trolleymass

what i want to do is to work there when the food service places are almost always closed, during "off" times, like at 11pm or 12am....when the college kids are hungry and have alot of munchies im trolleymass because i live in mass and i am going to be serving my breakfast/lunch/late nite munchies out of an old fashioned trolley-trailer...

Post a picture of it.

I once ate at a hot dog cart right in front of the student union building on the U. of Oregon campus in Eugene. The cart was mobbed! I'm thinking if you have a quality product, they will come!!!

Used to be a great pub right near the Georgetown entrance,called the "1789" Had some brews and some good food one night in the 60's when Lyndon Johnson's daughters were there!!

oh im sure the cart would be mobbed as u say but i also bet that was a long time ago...i dont think any of us could come up and get that type of location today with the way those contracts run...

trolleymass-
January 2006

wow im wrong! lol....but hey thats ok...was he there for a one time deal or was that his regular gig? thanx...

trolleymass-
I'm guessing that was a very regular gig, because the line moved so fast, everyone must have known exactly what was available and what to order. Until they got to me, of course!

Post a picture of it.

actually i dont want to post a picture of it...sorry...

i wonder how he got that spot in oregon?? good for him...

quote:

Originally posted by leethebard

Used to be a great pub right near the Georgetown entrance,called the "1789" Had some brews and some good food one night in the 60's when Lyndon Johnson's daughters were there!!

It's still there, Leethebard, but actually, the pub is in the basement level of the building, and has a different name...and serves good food...but the restaurant named 1789 is the part of the building on the street level and second floor...and is really elegant dining experience.

Thanks for the info...I was last there in '64, so my memory is a little rusty,but I do remember going down stairs for the drinking..I seem to remember an alumni connection with the Balantine brewery.