Naperville looking to expand street vendor food offerings

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Naperville resident Joe Hornbaker sells a bratwurst to a customer in downtown Naperville. The city is looking to get more street vendors downtown. | Sun-Times Media file

Updated: November 16, 2011 3:34PM

Naperville is looking to have more street food for sale next year.

The city of Naperville’s process to consider vendors for its 2012 Downtown Mobile Vending Cart Program is now under way. License applications are being accepted through Nov. 2.

The city has four available locations for free-standing vendor carts, and vendors awarded licenses will be authorized to operate in the 2012 calendar year.

Desired vendors should be able to introduce a food element not currently found within the downtown to cater to an unmet need, city officials said. Proposed vending operations must enhance, not detract from, the pedestrian and family-friendly atmosphere of the downtown and also contribute to the overall downtown ambience, according to the city.

One vendor is currently operating a free-standing vendor cart in downtown Naperville. Joe Hornbaker runs Joey’s Rod Hots from a food truck stationed near Chicago Avenue and Washington Street. Last month, the City Council voted to lengthen the vendor’s hours to 1:30 a.m. Sundays through Thursdays and until 2:30 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

The city wishes to fill all four of its available locations next year to continue to enhance the overall ambience and vitality of the downtown area by providing an accessible outdoor location for visitors and employees to conveniently dine.

To qualify for the program, vendors must submit an original hardcopy and copy of their proposal, as stipulated in the Request for Qualifications, to City of Naperville, Procurement Services Team, Attn: Theresa Dobersztyn, C.P.M., CPPB, 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL 60540. Applications are due by 2 p.m. Nov. 2.

For more information about the Downtown Mobile Vending Cart Program and the license application process, visit the city’s website at www.naperville.il.us/mobilevending.aspx.