SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
June 5 maybe the first day of business for the city's food trucks, but Sousanh Chanthalangsy-Bornilla is already well-equipped to start.

Murray Jones, owner and operator of Curbside Treats n' Eats, stands in front of his food trailer. Jones is looking forward to serving lemonade, ice cream and other items this summer season after discussions with city planning officials about the possibility of better downtown locations. - Karen K. Ho/NNSL photo

That's because the owner/operator of One of a Thai recently picked up a brand new food truck in Vancouver.

"It's beautiful," she told Yellowknifer on the phone from inside the vehicle.

It might be the perfect timing, after many of the city's food truck owners and mobile vendors met with the city planning department about new regulations. The municipal service committee is also discussing a list of recommendations that include specific food vendor locations and the city's role in food culture promotion.

Murray Jones, owner and operator of the Curbside Treats 'n Eats food truck, said the discussions were exciting and pretty positive, saying one of the most important issues was that the food trucks remain visible in the downtown core on Franklin Ave during lunch hours.

"You need that ease of access," he said, citing the large number of meetings often being held nearby.

Dedicated parking was also high on the wish list.

"Sometimes you have to drive around for 15 minutes for a spot," Jones said.

The goal is also for the food trucks and other mobile vendors to be spread around the core with only a few per block so that restaurants aren't suddenly overwhelmed with competition.

While these new regulations could encourage more small business owners to consider starting their own food trucks, Jones warned that the time needed to operate was considerable. "It's 10 hours of work for two hours of serving," he said in regards to preparation and cleanup afterwards. "But it's exciting, social and you get to spend time with customers."

"They add a vibrancy to the downtown scene," he said, adding how food trucks also attracted tourists to the area.

Chanthalangsy-Bornilla explained passion is why she decided on upgrading One of a Thai's facilities. After a year of planning and development, Chanthalangsy-Bornilla announced she was selling the company's food trailer.

While some patrons were hoping for a restaurant announcement, Chanthalangsy-Bornilla wanted to invest in an actual food truck with a real kitchen. After three seasons of operating the food trailer and using the restaurant's set-up in the Curling Club made her realize that the process of food preparation had become too frustrating on a regular basis. "It's easy easier to prep and cook in one spot," she explained. "We can also open for supper this time."

Demand, especially in the summer, had picked up enough to justify the investment and the truck was completed a few months ago. But Chanthalangsy-Bornilla waited until this past week to pick it up and drive it back to Yellowknife. "To see it up close, it's amazing," she said. "It a dream and what I always wanted."

Chanthalangsy-Bornilla said the new vehicle will also be much easier to park compared to her old setup with her Ford F-150 pickup. It will allow One of A Thai to stay out longer.

In terms of financing, Chanthalangsy-Bornilla and her husband were approved through the Akaitcho Business Development Corporation.

"We're just excited about opening and showing everybody," she said.

One of a Thai is also considering adding more items to the menu, such as Thai iced tea or soups.

"We couldn't do that before," she said.

The company currently consists of Chanthalangsy-Bornilla, her mother, her cousin and occasionally her husband, but now One of a Thai might also hire one more person. With the new facility they might also push beyond October to early November.

"If I could do it all year long I would," she said.

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