Imagine venturing into Old Town with an option to dine at three of its brick-and-mortar eateries or try out a revolving schedule of food trucks right on Main Street.
It’s happening!
The city, in partnership with the Downtown Development Authority and a private property owner, has entered into an agreement to host a food truck site at the corner of First and Main Streets. It’s the strip of land currently enclosed by a fence, across from the popular 1910 Public House restaurant.
This is an interim step to activate a key commercial site on Main Street. The private property owners, Lilburn Main, LLC, intend to begin construction on the first of three commercial buildings on the 0.77-acre commercial site early next year. The first building will be located next to the existing Cofer building. Buildings two and three will follow construction and occupation of building one.
The temporary food truck site will be located at the corner of First and Main, the location of future permanent structures to be constructed by the private property owners.
Any day now, the fence will be removed, a sign will be posted and work will begin to prep the site so that it can accommodate two food trucks. The city Events and Community Engagement team is contacting food truck operators - many of whom already support the seasonal Food Truck Tuesdays in City Park - to seal agreements for what will arguably be a unique concept for the community and metro Atlanta.
The city’s purpose in this endeavor is two-fold:
- Build pedestrian traffic in Old Town, generating critical activity to support existing downtown businesses including 1910 Public House, Antiques in Old Town, Salon Nine Seven, Agavero Cantina - Parkside, and newcomers Haven Bodega and The Bubbly Goat.
- Offer the community more dining and entertainment options in Old Town, where City Park is the anchor for most events.
“The Mayor, Council, and DDA Board members are dedicated to activating key commercial sites on Main Street in Old Town,” Mayor Johnny Crist said. “We are thrilled to partner with Lilburn Main, LLC, to offer this creative, interim solution of food trucks to draw additional interest to our downtown.”
Tentative plans are to launch the venture Oct. 1. Every Tuesday of the month, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., a revolving schedule of food trucks will be featured.
“We want people to come and hang out in Old Town,” Crist said. “We’d like to offer street music and make this a family-friendly affair for patrons.”