Hurricane Sandy ripped through NYC on October 29th, 2012. Most believed she was just like Irene, a lot of fuss and no real action. The super storm system took away homes, property and claimed the lives of over 100 people. What was left behind in Sandy’s aftermath was massive flooding, power outages, inaccessible roads, out-of-service public transportation and overall fear, panic and devastation. Many schools and businesses were shut down for days, or in some cases weeks. So what happens to the businesses, such as street vendors, whose income depends on
Outside of Baruch College on Lexington Avenue, between East 24th and East 25th Street, the Korean Food Cart (the name they wish to be referred to) sits awaiting its lunch time rush. The steel cart has a cooking area, additional storage for food on the sides, condiments, napkins and utensils up top and a cooler to house cold beverages that sits on the side of the cart. The cart is adorned in pictures and prices of its dish offerings. Alex Yi, one of the two owner/workers, was able to prepare ahead of time. However, no amount of preparation could change the effect of Sandy’s impact. “We lost about a week and a half of business”, say Yu in reference to how long it took to get the truck back out. “We had our food supply prepared ahead of time but there’s only so much you can do.” The truck pulls in about $1000-1500 on weekdays. They get foot traffic from Baruch students and faculty, Credit Suisse and other office-based businesses in the area.
Phil’s Steak Truck Jawn is another food truck that loss business due to Sandy. The brown and red truck is about the size of a mail carrier truck with the Phil’s Steaks logo in a red and white patterned repeated across the cab portion. The Jawn (as it’s famously referred to) sits at East 23rd Street and Park Avenue South. “We’re open here from about 11-2, then we head down to West 4th Street in the Village for hour next shift. And on Thursdays, we’re in the Financial District,” says Mohamed Ahmed, one of the truck’s employees. All of these areas were ravished by the super storm. So how did the Jawn survive the storm? “Our commissary is out in Maspeth, Queens, an area that wasn’t very affected by Sandy”, says Ahmed. Typically, makes about $1500 a day. In reference to how long the truck was out of commission, Ahmed recalls, “We lost two weeks worth of business.” On the upside, the truck was part of the volunteer efforts and outreach work. “We were able to help out communities like Far Rockaway and other parts of Queens and Long Island that were hit really bad.” The City of New York( through the mayor’s fund) sponsored the truck so that they were able to provide food to those we truly needed it, rather than just wanting a cheese steak. They also received funding for their efforts.
What happens next for these food entrepreneurs? The holiday season brings a natural slowdown to their businesses. Sandy put a major and damper on things. But both vendors still seemed upbeat and optimistic. If they can survive the daily hustle and bustle of New York City and its impatient (and sometimes rude) occupants and Sandy the super storm, they can most definitely survive through the slow holiday season.
