For many people on the Island, summer means the start of tubing season. For Cow Cafe owner David Sharrow, it means a parking lot full of people launching off at Central Park. This summer, Sharrow is hoping to capitalize on the town’s tube tourism using one of BC’s biggest culinary trends — food trucks.
Though technically not a food truck, Cow Cafe’s potential addition borrows from the trend aesthetically. Sharrow plans to serve Asian-fusion food from a camper van, called Taka Nacho, from the restaurant’s parking lot, where the van is already set up. The food would be prepared within the Cow Cafe’s kitchen, though Sharrow said the “food truck” format would appeal to those coming into town to sit on a tube rather than at a table, potentially turning his parking problem into a new source of income.
“People use the parking lot to go tubing down the river, but they don’t buy anything,” he said. “They’re not wearing shoes or shirts, they’re not looking to sit inside of a restaurant and have a meal, so I’m giving them food at a price point they would want and a format they would like.”
Although Sharrow said that he’s received approval from property owners Bill and Denise Allan, and is undergoing a final health inspection tomorrow (June 18), the addition is still pending the approval of town council, who are concerned that the Cow Cafe’s new angle could open a flood gate of seasonal businesses that would undercut Lake Cowichan’s existing businesses.
“All we hear about are empty storefronts in Lake Cowichan, a lot of businesses can’t make it 12 months, only six or nine,” Mayor Ross Forrest said. “We don’t want any more empty storefronts, we have to protect other businesses.”
However, Forrest also noted that the Taka Nacho could be considered an extension of the Cow Cafe, similar to a take-out window, as it would need the restaurant’s kitchen to sustain itself.
Sharrow argued that the extension would not disrupt other businesses, nor break any existing bylaws.
“The target demographic is not going into Jake’s or the Shaker Mill, they’re stopping at the Co-op for a pepperoni and cheese stick,” he said. “I shouldn’t have to ask my competition what I’m allowed to do.”
