Food cart back in business after months out in the cold

A food cart has reopened on the alternate highway after four months in limbo.

An upgraded entrance and approved resource consent means the Wheely Wild Food Cart, on State Highway 63, is back in business.

The cart was forced to close during the middle of an unexpected customer boom following the redirection of post-quake South Island traffic.

Owner Karen Gonzalez said she planned an official opening next week.

‘‘Of course, I’m very happy to be open again,’’ she said. ‘‘The customers seem to be happy about it too. They’re stopping for a chat.’’

The Marlborough District Council served the food cart an abate- ment notice in April during its post-quake purple patch following resource consent issues and road safety concerns.

Gonzalez found an unlikely ally in the NZ Transport Agency after it offered to pay two-thirds of upgrades to the business’ entrance in June.

NZTA confirmed it provided $10,000 to the project.

A council spokeswoman said resource consent for the site was granted in June and it was good to hear the food truck had reopened.

‘‘Council staff went to quite some lengths to assist the owner to follow the process required to comply with the rules and it is good to see a consent has been granted so the food truck can operate legally and safely.’’

Gonzalez launched her food truck two years ago near the Branch River, about 30 kilometres from St Arnaud.

The redirection of traffic after November’s earthquake changed everything, as vehicle numbers quadrupled in a matter of weeks and Gonzalez found herself as the only option for hungry drivers on the new route.