Saint John council bets on food trucks to revive Tin Can Beach
A neglected stretch of Saint John waterfront is turning into the trendiest lunch spot, thanks to a local promotion called Food Truck Wednesday.
That's when mobile restaurants park near the entrance to Tin Can Beach, drawing dozens of hungry customers from all over the city to Saint John's South End.
"Look at that," said Stephanie Gallant, peeling back the thick toast lid of her donair and melted cheese sandwich. "It's so great and juicy. It's one of the best foods I've ever had."
By noon, people were lining up for service and small crowds gathered in clumps to enjoy their meals. This in a part of the city that was virtually abandoned after the Lantic Sugar refinery closed in 2000, putting 300 people out of work.
On this day, Dave Baker brought his own folding table and chairs and was joined by half a dozen fellow teachers all eating al fresco next to an expansive view of the Bay of Fundy.
"This is my eighth trip here," says Baker. "I plan my lunch hour around them."
Conservationist Graeme Stewart-Robertson says it's encouraging to see how small changes have made a big difference on the last remaining piece of natural coastline on Saint John's inner harbour.
As executive director of the Atlantic Coastal Action Program, Stewart-Robertson helped organize some of the ecological restoration efforts that began in earnest last year.
That included a beach clean-up, the removal of invasive species, and the planting of new trees.
"It's interesting to see how place-making works," he says. "We said 'here's an area that needs polish.' And then you've seen all these other buy-ins."
Several city councillors came to show their support for the vendors by purchasing lunch and eating their meals on nearby picnic tables that had recently been refurbished.
"The city and the mayor, who is also a south-ender ...and local 18, and the bosses down there, they recycled all these old benches," said City Councillor Gerry Lowe .
"They painted them and fixed them up. None of them are new. This place is a gathering place now for not only people of the South End but also people who moved out of here years ago."
"It's the closest place you can get to the water, in the city, that's not fenced off."
The owners of the food trucks say they've been warmly received.
"The people of Saint John are so welcoming," says Philip Goudreau, owner of Maritime Fish and Chips.
Goudreau says it's worth the journey from his home base in Moncton.
"I think they realize this is the new craze," says Goudreau. "This is the new thing. It brings traffic. It brings tourism."
Some of the customers standing in line, were ordering take-out for friends and co-workers that couldn't make it down to the beach.
Mary-Frances Boyle said it was her first time and she came with a list of orders for six other people.
"I'm obsessed with the Food Network," she said. "I always watch all the shows about the food trucks. So, I'm really excited."
