Several area neighbors and merchants have written to Melrose Action voicing concern over the recent emergence of high end catering trucks pulling up along Melrose and on adjacent side streets selling everything from Korean beef dishes to specialty waffles.

What concerns the neighbors and restaurant owners have seem to follow a similar theme echoed in other business zones who complain and fear that these rolling businesses can impact an already economically challenged business district that could lead to more closures of store fronts.

One neighborhood activist who asked that her name not be used said that not only are there reasonable concerns to protect the proprietary rights of our merchants but also the potential these food service trucks pose to creating more trash on Melrose and side streets.  She said "who will clean up after the trucks take off for their next destination, we will, we will get left with all the trash".  She said that "leaving behind trash in the wake of business is a common theme in the Melrose Village community and it's got to end".  She cites the struggle merchants face when having to have the trash collection containers along Melrose emptied.

This growing fad of roving "mobile" kitchens quickly pulling up across the street or even in front of open-for-business eateries seems to be drawing a line between customers who want more adventurous food choices on their stroll versus established brick and mortar businesses who struggle to maintain their sales just meet their overhead.  

Clearly these "meals on wheels" with sophisticated social networking power could be hard to beat when compared to  the tried and true restaurant owners who operate by traditional business models.

On a recent weekend, Melrose Action surveyed the Melrose Village Business District corridor between La Brea Avenue and Fairfax Avenue and counted 88 vacancies in a 16 block area.