Bayshore Drive in East Naples could soon become a dining destination. Though not for restaurants, but food trucks. The owner of a local market has plans to turn a vacant lot into a food truck park featuring an eclectic variety of dishes.
"My vision is, there's a line at each truck every day," said Rebecca Maddox, owner of the Three60 Market on the south side of Haldeman Creek. She plans to create the food truck park on the one-acre lot on the creek's north side, at the corner of Becca Avenue and Bayshore Drive.
"I just felt that if I could bring some commerce...some cool things to that area, that would make a contribution to Naples," Maddox said.
"I think it's a really good idea," said Cindy Remillard, who lives along Bayshore and frequently walks to stores on U.S. 41 to get a bite to eat. "The neighborhood needs something like that."
Maddox is working with local Naples architect David Corban to create a unique space for at least 8 food truck stations, as well as an open-air tiki bar, restrooms, shaded seating and parking.
She said she got the idea about 2 years ago, after finding street food vendors almost everywhere she traveled overseas.
"I want an eclectic mix, and I want the absolute best food we can find at the best price they can deliver it at," Maddox said.
"A lot of people walk and ride their bikes up to the local stores up the street to get snacks," said Baysore resident Guy Celli. "I think a lot of people in our neighborhood would stop (at the food truck park.)"
Maddox said that she plans to submit permit requests to Collier County in the next few weeks, and that about 100 vendors have already expressed an interest in taking part. She hopes that the food truck park will be open for business sometime in the spring.
