WILKES-BARRE TOWNSHIP, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A new ordinance targeting food trucks has been making waves in one local township. Some truck owners say the change will cut into their profits.
Notis Vavlas, owner of Notis The Gyro King, has been operating in Wilkes-Barre Township for the last 17 years.
He says he’s been abiding by the rules for as long as he’s been in business and that he feels like he’s being singled out by this new ordinance.
“You close me down, and you tell me, I operate 10 hours or seven hours and move your truck or trailer. I have another idea. How about I put my business, take it off the wheels, and I put in cinder blocks?” Vavlas stated.
Notis The Gyro King has been in business for 17 years in the former K-Mart plaza in Wilkes-Barre Township, but that’s about to change.
The township recently imposed a new ordinance stating food trucks are not allowed to remain in the same location for more than 10 hours in a 24-hour period.
“I didn’t want to see them setting up as a permanent business because, to me, it’s not fair to have all these brick and mortar stores that were put up, restaurants and everything, and then you have someone come in and park a trailer and turn it into a permanent business,” Wilkes-Barre Township Zoning and Code Enforcement Officer Thomas Zedolik stated.
Thomas Zedolik actually helped Vavlas set up shop in the plaza years ago, but after Wawa opened its doors late last year, his business was forced to move to a neighboring lot.
However, this lot lacks a Highway Occupancy Permit (HOP,) which is issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
It allows landowners to let businesses operate along state routes like Route 309.
“The permit guy, he put me out of business basically. Do you see people over here? No, but over there, I’m busy,” stated Vavlas.
Vavlas says he was in the middle of a busy workday when the township approached him, telling him to shut his doors and find a new location.
“We didn’t just single him out to go pick on him or anything, he just didn’t have the proper permits to stay in that location,” Zedolik explained.
Township officials say the owner of this lot has since applied for an HOP, but until it is approved, Valas is stuck in limbo.
Now, he’s temporarily leasing space in Wilkes-Barre on the corner of Route 309 and Coal Street behind Sunoco.
Despite the challenges he’s faced, he says the support from the community has been overwhelming.
“You have no idea how much support I’m getting from the people, and I appreciate them,” Vavlas expressed.
Township officials tell 28/22 News this ordinance is not currently set in stone and is subject to change.
