By Andy Thomason, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, July 12, 2012
CLEARWATER — Food trucks have become a lively trend in Tampa Bay, attracting hundreds of people each month in Tampa and St. Petersburg. But Clearwater, the second-largest city in Pinellas County and a tourist destination in its own right, seems unlikely to hop on board. That's because city codes prohibit food trucks, and there's a lack of interest in changing that.
"I'm not ready to open up Clearwater to food trucks at this time," said Mayor George Cretekos, citing the increased competition it would pose to established restaurants. "I would like to see our restaurants try to survive in this tough economic time. There's no business more difficult than the restaurant business."
In addition, Cretekos and planning director Michael Delk said no one has even approached them about the possibility of bringing food trucks to Clearwater. "I ...