This content was originally published by the Longmont Observer and is licensed under a Creative Commons license.
News surrounding the impacts are flooding our devices. In Longmont, there are many organizations looking to make something positive out of a negative situation.
The Elks Lodge #1055, located at 306 Coffman St. is offering hope during this difficult time. Since patrons are no longer able to dine-in at restaurants or visit their favorite watering holes, the food service industry has taken a major hit. Especially the food truck business, who relies on the patronage at local breweries, distilleries, and cideries to bring them business.
"As small food truck business owners, we are feeling the hit worse than other establishments because we do not have a brick and mortar to operate out of. All our locations, such as breweries, cideries and distilleries where we would normally park our trucks for service have ceased business therefore tying our hands on any location to set up shop and serve our guests," states Isaac Olson, owner of Monzu Food Truck.
On an average day, Olson estimates that his food truck brings in $200-$2,000. Now he says that he would be grateful for $100 a day, which is around 15 patrons.
The Elks have a motto, "Elks care, Elks share," which drives them to always find ways to give back to their community. Part of giving back during this time is sharing their now empty parking lot with food trucks. Giving them a place to park to do business.
The Elks Lodge #1055, in partnership with O'hana Eats and Monzu Food Truck, are creating a "pop up food park" in the Elks Lodge parking lot at 306 Coffman St.
This "pop up food park" is currently scheduled to be in place everyday of the week, with different trucks rotating in and out daily. The more patrons who visit the more trucks will be available on the different days.
"We will be offering call ahead ordering or take out ordering only. We are promoting St. Vrain Cidery and Longtucky Spirits to those who choose to come and join us in means of going over to their establishments and grabbing a four pack or growler of cider to go while partons wait for their food. If it grows bigger than what we expected in the beginning, we are planning on adding a truck to the St. Vrain Cidery location and allowing for more business and service. We have plenty of parking for those who want to place orders so we will be able to accommodate at least 40 orders at any given time," states Olson.
To learn more visit http://www.monzulongmont.com/.
