DECATUR, Ga. — Delicious food will be rolling into Decatur.
City leaders announced Thursday that they will approve eight licenses for food carts. The Decatur Downtown Development Authority said the new vendor program will allow the food businesses to operate at four locations including Decatur Square, Harmony Park, E Ponce de Leon Avenue and W Ponce de Leon Avenue.
Leaders said the initiative was originally approved through a 2017 ordinance with the city revisiting it after the COVID-19 pandemic.
The application opened Thursday, June 1 and will close Tuesday, June 20. Any food cart vendor is eligible to apply as long as their licenses are up-to-date and their carts meet the city's required dimensions.
A committee will review all applications and select eight vendors. They will be permitted to operate their carts for a year during specific times: Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Committee members will work to highlight cuisine that isn't currently offered in Decatur, create more grab-and-go food and beverage options that appeal to those working in the business district and amplifying small businesses that may be challenged with affording, or not wanting to, open a full brick-and-mortar option.
“Decatur is synonymous with eclectic food and beverage, so this program will allow for even more variety and choice for residents and visitors,” said Shirley Baylis, business development manager for the City of Decatur in a news release. “Additionally, when you consider how many food cart operators are recent immigrants and/or people of color, giving them this opportunity to grow their business aligns with Decatur’s core values of promoting and celebrating diversity.”
Approved vendors will get a notice 10 months into its license that its time to reapply for the program.
For more information on the vendor cart program and information on how to apply, please visit www.DecaturGA.com.
