Facebook firestorm after food truck forced out of town

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Fans of a Whiteville food truck were up in arms on Facebook after it was forced out of town just two weeks after opening.

Jimmy Spivey opened up ‘When Pigs Fly Barbecue and Wings’ food truck a few weeks ago on a piece of property he rented in Whiteville.

“When we established this business, we kind of wanted a place of our own, just so it would be like coming to a real restaurant,” said Spivey.

But he soon found out that wouldn’t last long.

“We discovered that there was a city ordinance that we were not aware of. The city asked us to politely move from our location,” said Spivey.

Spivey quickly found an opportunity to move the truck to Tabor City, but not before a Facebook firestorm was ignited.

Whiteville mayor Terry Mann says food trucks are only allowed at the flea market.

“As far as food trucks just randomly setting up in town, we really have no ordinance that addresses that, so because there is no ordinance, they would not be permitted,” said Mann.

Spivey hopes that will change.

“I think the city thinks that a food truck is an eye sore. But I think if they’re done well, they can be a complement to the city,” said Spivey.

Mayor Mann says food trucks are unfair to brick and mortar businesses, because they pay less overhead costs.

“They’re not paying property taxes, the city gets no revenue out of it,” said Mann.

But Spivey says there’s a simple answer to that.

“If they would develop the proper type of tax, I don’t think food truck owners would mind paying that tax.”