Pret a Manger & Bistro Milano Call Cops on New Street Sweets Truck

photo.jpg

It sounds like 55th Street btw. 5+6th has been nothing but trouble for the brand new Street Sweets Truck since they popped up last week. On Monday, they complained that “politics” forced them to move to a different spot. Commenter “bm2e” seemed pretty pissed: “This is BULLSHIT. The carts on the block at 55th and 6th are a standard hot dog cart (pretty good, reasonable prices) and a mediocre halal cart that isn’t even there every day. Add to this poor showing the fact that the crap Italian restaurant in the first floor of 1350 6th Ave actually went and rented a U-Haul to prevent the truck from parking.” (I got confirmation that Bistro Milano, the Italian restaurant inside 1350, did indeed rent a UHaul and put it in the spot to prevent them from parking there on Monday.)

Well, it looks like it all came to a head yesterday when I noticed the scene above in front of the truck just before Noon. I asked one of the cops what was going on and he seemed all too excited to tell me.

“You want to know what is going on?”, he said. “I’ll tell you exactly what’s going. That place right there (pointed to Bistro Milano) and that place right there (pointed to Pret a Manger) are both pissed because they pay all this rent to this building and now this truck is selling food right outside their door.” And naturally, because it’s the same kind of food they’re angry. “That’s the thing!”, he continued. “It’s completely different! That restaurant right there is fancy, and doesn’t even open until lunch. What do they care if these guys are serving coffee and muffins in the morning. This truck is following all the laws. They’re doing nothing wrong. You don’t want them to park in front of your business… you know what? Too bad. This is America!”

DSC02827

He obviously wasn’t speaking as an official spokesperson for the NYPD, but seemed genuinely annoyed that they had to waste their time coming out to take care of this nonsense. In addition to the cops, the Fire Department and HAZMAT (the guys who handle hazardous material!?!) were both called to the scene by the owner of 1350 6th Ave. (the building that houses both Bistro Milano & Pret).

The landlord has complained directly to the Street Sweets truck a number of times before yesterday. The initial complaint was about the noisy muffler that disturbs the diners eating outside the restaurant on the sidewalk. So Street Sweets spent almost $2000 ordering a silent muffler which will arrive next week. But that wasn’t enough. The building then complained about the smell of diesel, but the truck’s engine is off during most of the day, running on propane generators (and when the truck is running, it runs on bio-diesel.) So, they switched to complaining about the smell of grease and oil- but Street Sweets does no frying on the truck, so there is no oil or grease.

Clearly the building just wants them gone, but according to the Fire Captain on the scene the truck is breaking no rules. They have the legal amount of propane on the truck and are parked in a completely legal spot. As long as they can withstand the complaints and harassment from the building, they can stay there.

The problem is, they’re not just getting it from the building. The other street vendors in the area are unhappy as well- most notably the morning coffee cart. Street Sweets, in an effort to be a good neighbor and to show they’re not interested in stealing business that other carts have worked years to build up, agreed to not sell regular, American coffee before 11am. Only espresso and cappuccino, which in theory wouldn’t infringe on the sales of the coffee cart. Not sure if that will be enough to satisfy, but we’ll see.

Either way, Pret still wants them gone. According to the owner of the Street Sweet Truck, one of the managers of Pret complained to him yesterday that the truck was “destroying our morning business.” The truck’s owners find that hard to believe since they took in less than $100 (if even that.) But in this economy every bit counts, and (while this may surprise you) I do see the other perspective.

DSC02826

Pret and Bistro Milano pay a lot of money in rent, and their competition was clearly defined before they moved in. There are a limited number of places to rent space. If we allowed *direct* competitors to just set up on the sidewalk in front of every business in the city, it would be pretty bad for business across the board. To top it off, there is no question that al fresco dining is a big part of Bistro Milano’s business, and having a truck parked so close to their sidewalk area is no doubt annoying.

On the other hand, 55th street is zoned to accept street carts and trucks, and if the truck is breaking no law they should be allowed to stay. And they’re not the only truck that parks there. The street is jam packed with idling delivery trucks all day long. Is Bistro Milano going to go after UPS?

I’ve always been quick to criticize street carts who bully other street carts that are not competition. Halal vendors should not bully a cart selling Mexican food or Korean food, and Mister Softee shouldn’t bully a lady selling cookies and brownies. It’s not direct competition. But what about when a new truck shows up that clearly does effect your bottom line. There is no question the Street Sweets truck will negatively effect the businesses in question. Most directly, Pret and the Coffee Cart- and indirectly, they will effect Bistro Milano by making their outdoor dining slightly less pleasant.

So what’s the answer? My gut says “bring on the trucks, and let the strong survive!” But that system would benefit some at the expense of a lot of hard working people who have spent years building up their business. It’s easy to say “Screw Pret”, but a little harder to say “Screw that guy making $15,000 a year selling coffee and doughnuts.” You can’t have it both ways. No matter what concessions they make, the Street Sweets Truck parking on 55th will hurt the coffee vendor too. In a lot of ways, the surrounding businesses are lucky that Street Sweets are at least trying to be good neighbors (ordering the muffler, not serving coffee before 11am, etc.) They aren’t legally obligated to do any of those things.

I’m not sure I know the solution, but I do know this: As more and more of these new-school trucks and carts start popping up in Midtown, the problem is just going to get worse. And bullying and intimidation tactics are not the answer. Whether it is direct threats from another vendor, or a restaurant calling the cops.

According to their Twitter, the Street Sweets Truck is back today on the SE Corner of 55th & 6th.

Related:
Halal Vendors Chase Happy Well Being Cart
Rafiqi’s Tries To Intimidate New Mexican Cart From 49th Street
The Treats Truck Will Try Her Luck at 45th St. Today

81 Comments

  • I was at the truck today and whatever “noise” coming from it is hardly anything compared to the standard horn honking, yelling cabbies, cell phone yakers and basic drone of NYC. Lame excuse.

  • You all finish work soon….go down there and tell them what twats they are.

    Pitch forks and torches!!!

  • LOL Lou…was thinking the same thing.. moaning about noise in manhattan is like paris hilton complaining her tampon won’t stay in.

  • User has not uploaded an avatar

    @ all Bistro Milano shills: I have regular client lunches where we do not wish to travel far from the office. Rest assured that Benoit and, when it reopens, La Bonne Soupe will get all my business. I note again, I work in 1350 in an office of 100, most of whom are professionals with direct client relationships, and will be encouraging my colleagues to boycott your establishment unless and until you find a way to work with the truck.

  • User has not uploaded an avatar

    I know I should leave well enough alone, but:

    @chitarraapedali: “The patrons dining in the patio of Bistro Milano have the right not only to be served within the parameters of the designated patio but also they are entitled to enjoy the surroundings and every other element which makes their experience rewarding.”

    ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME? West 55th Street is one of the most highly-traveled crosstown arteries in Midtown! What “elements” of the “surroundings” are the BM patrons unable to “enjoy” because there is a gaily-colored food-service truck parked nearby?

  • User has not uploaded an avatar

    @bm2e

    That shill is insane. The part where he compares Bistro Milano to an “art piece” and simultaneously claims he is not doing so is hilarious.

    They would be better served by just working in their restaurant and not on the internets.

  • @bistro 2009, @chitarraapedali & all other Bistro Milano, Pret shills – I stopped by the Sweets trucks for the first time today and your whining about noise from the truck is absolutely pathetic! Get a grip and a life!!

    You may have forced the truck to move, but just remember that Karma is a Bitch & I truly hope you get Bitch Slapped Hard!!

  • All this talk leaves me wondering two things: where do I go to find the buffalo that Rudy is directing us all to, and where is Rhino Penis?

    Even more importantly, WWRPD?

    (ok, three. Sue me.)

  • User has not uploaded an avatar

    I used to wish that Rudy McBagel would just go away, because his comments are always irrelevant and usually unfunny. But I have to give props when props are due:

    @Rudy’s last comment: Bravo.

  • User has not uploaded an avatar

    To hell with Pret, and double to hell with a restaurant that has outdoor seating on a busy street in Midtown and then complains about traffic noise.

  • Dan L, why thank you.

    I found your college thesis ” Living with anal leakage” To be fascinating.

    Your Dissapation “Felching: A Guide” was somewhat lacking.

  • User has not uploaded an avatar

    Haha!! I love all you fucking morons who immediately believe whatever bullshit that someone writes and take on the cause. Do me a favor take your loser point of view and worthless conviction and jump off a fuckin bridge!! I work in the building and once again you are all wrong and the truth is as follows:

    The building which is owned by SLGreen recieved countless requests from offices and apartments to have the sweets truck relocated. It was management that had its fill with the truck’s asshole owners lack of respect and the police issued the guy a summons because, and this is for all you fuckin shills (haha), the guy was in violation because you can’t park a food truck and serve out of it in a metered parking spot. Thats the law and the guy knew it and decided to park there anyway. BM had zero to do with it and backed off because the owner showed a reciept for a muffler that was going to quiet the exhaust. But you idiots keep believing what you want. Nobody cares untill this bullshit is parked infront of their place of buisness with its constant droning noise, spitting biodiesel stench on your customers. Then you care right. Bottom line, trucks like that are to be parked in a lot. But I applaud all your passion. Two for one Kettle One martinis at Bistro Milano rules!!!

  • Wow, I don’t know what the fuck crawled up bistro 2009’s ass? Maybe he’s been gang-banged at his office one too many times or something to that offense. No pity for an office whore like yourself. You go drown yourself in those martinis if it’ll ease the pain of your daily anal-reamings.

    The Street Sweets truck was parked near my building last week on 51st/Park and there was no noise or horrendous fumes. Maybe you’re just hearing and smelling your own ass getting torn to shreds!
    I don’t know how good that food at Bistro Milano is but I wouldn’t waste a dime on them if they serve losere like you!

  • Bistro2009 = D’s older, dumber, and surlier brother?

  • User has not uploaded an avatar

    Touchee T.C!! Your whore mother practically drowned in my load after a few of those martinis. Don’t waste the dime, give it to her so the two of us can gut her like a fish tonight!!

  • Wow, lowlife bistro has to drag moms into this nonsense? At least I have a real mom unlike bottomfeeding scum such as yourself. Do yourself a favor and donate your yearly salary to the orphanage that raised your dumbass.

  • Alright… enough of the back and forth. Don’t want to have to close this otherwise interesting thread of useful comments.

  • User has not uploaded an avatar

    Ok Guys I really do not care about bistro milano and I certainly do not work there. It is a matter of justice and discussion. You migfht feel different about the issue and the truck has nothing to do with service at bistro Milano. Bottom line: save the “fucking’ profanities, none has insulted your opinions. Obviousely you do not belong in a forum and that is it.

Leave a Reply

You must log in or register to post a comment.