The Waterfront Vancouver and Vancouver Waterfront Park are billed as spaces for the community. But at least one local business owner has found the hospitality lacking since the sites opened Sept. 29.
Chelsea and Cory Chunn own Chunney Pop, a mobile food cart specializing in handcrafted ice pops. Chunney Pop regularly makes an appearance at the Vancouver Farmers Market and started heading to the waterfront after the market ended to set up its push cart.
Chelsea Chunn said they quickly learned they were not welcome on site.
It turns out the development agreement signed in 2009 prevents outside businesses from operating at the waterfront.
“I think it was something they didn’t really think about,” Chunn said of the agreement’s prohibitive language.
No permits for outside businesses — meaning businesses not leasing space in The Waterfront Vancouver’s buildings — are being issued by the city at this time.
The ice pop-crafting duo stopped by a Vancouver City Council meeting last week asking for an amendment to the agreement. As it stands, no commercial activity is allowed in parts of the waterfront dedicated by Gramor Development. This includes the park, streets and sidewalks.
“We’re concerned with the economic future for small businesses, in particular mobile food vending units within current city developments and city developments on the horizons,” Chunn said.
Since addressing the council, Chunn said Economic Development Division Manager Teresa Brum has reached out to see what solutions can be found.
“We do want to see food trucks and small businesses succeed in the city, so we’re meeting with Chelsea to see what we can do to help her business succeed,” Brum said.
Chunn isn’t concerned only with the waterfront, but also with future developments. Take the Heights District plan as an example. It’s possible language in future agreements could have unintended consequences, she said, and she is encouraging other businesses to get involved in the planning process.
“I think it’s important that other small businesses hear this opportunity and have a chance to be part of the conversation,” Chunn said. “Even when it comes to attending city council meetings, you have to show up to make things happen in your community,” she said. “I hope that more folks will step forward in being part of creating positive solutions.”
