Following the success of Calgary’s food trucks, a number of local vendors are attempting to bring their wares directly to the community but are struggling to roll out as the city has not established rules for retail trucks.
Kristin Poch owns The Beatnik Bus, a mobile record store which specializes in vintage vinyl albums. She says the idea for her store was stoked during her time outside of Canada.
“I've travelled around New York, Korea and all over the States and they have these mobile retailers all over the place,” explains Poch. “I’ve always been a dreamer and kind of wanted an everything store.”
Poch plans to open her store in April of this year with the majority of her inventory supplied from her father’s years of dedication to enhancing his music collection.
“The mobile retail business is going to be awesome for Calgary's culture and scene. I think we need to be on those streets. It’s going to bring people in. It’s going to provide a unique culture and community for the Calgary scene.”
Poch says the low overhead costs of a bus turned mobile store eliminated some of the costs and risk associated with starting a retail outlet and she hopes to sell albums from Calgary musicians on consignment.
While Poch has high hopes for her record shop, the City of Calgary does not have bylaws in place to allow retail vendors on city streets. When The Beatnik Bus is ready to open, Poch’s operation will be limited to public festivals and private events situated off of Calgary roads.
Anna Melnick, a City of Calgary spokesperson, says the process of allowing food trucks on city streets followed an engagement process which lasted roughly 18 months.
“In order to get a retail truck setup, we’d probably have to go through the same process to refine the parameters around where they can and can’t be and when they can operate,” explains Melnick.
According Melnick, current City of Calgary rules would require a mobile retail outlet to follow the same guidelines of a hot dog stand or a flower cart which includes obtaining:
- A ‘no premise’ business licence
- A special parking permit
- A permission letter from the owner of the property
During her lunch hour walk on Stephen Avenue, Calgarian Jessica Mauro said she was intrigued by the idea of retail trucks but says location will be key to their success.
“I think this type of location would work well,” said Mauro of the premise of trucks on Stephen Ave. “In a community like Kensington or Inglewood I think it would work well, but I don’t think I’d go to a parking lot of a mall.”
An undisclosed retailer with plans to operate a truck has requested a review from the city. City officials and retail owners are discussing the possibility of a trial period for mobile stores on Calgary streets.
