Meet Main Street Eats , a new concept from entrepreneurs Butch Rahman and Chad Englund that would permanently park up to eight food trucks in a food court-style set-up east of downtown Lakeland at 1108 E. Main St.
The developers are partnering with the owners of Plates on Deck, Ken James, 37, and Ziomara Taveras, 41, who will manage the site. The pair specializes in eclectic soul food.
They recently competed on the 17th season of The Great Food Truck Race, vying for a chance to win $50,000 in the culinary competition hosted by celebrity chef Tyler Florence.
In addition to the food trucks, the site plan also includes:
- Renovating a 1912 home into a restaurant and acoustic music venue
- Transforming a 1950s office into customer bathrooms and a vendor preparation area
- Adding an adjacent parking lot that faces Rose Street
Rahman and Englund said they are also considering filing for additional permits to sell beer and wine in the future.
The plan jumped its first hurdle Tuesday when the Lakeland Planning & Zoning Board unanimously approved a conditional-use permit for the property at 1112 E. Main St.; it’s on the north side of Main Street between Ingraham Avenue and North Lake Parker Avenue.
Next, the plan will be voted on by city commissioners before construction can begin. If approved, Rahman and Englund hope the site will be open by next summer.