Ralphs Grocery Co. Wednesday filed a lawsuit seeking an injunction against multiple food truck operators who the grocer maintains are creating a nuisance with congestion, trash generation and rudeness to Ralphs employees at the Pacific Palisades store.
The Los Angeles Superior Court lawsuit seeks a temporary restraining order as well as a preliminary and permanent injunction preventing the mobile food vendors from coming within 200 feet of the store's perimeter. Ralphs additionally seeks compensatory and punitive damages.
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Along with public and private nuisance, the suit alleges trespass, negligence and intentional interference with prospective economic advantage.
All of the seven vendors have parked for business on Sunset Boulevard between La Cruz Drive and Carey Street and Alma Real Drive between Toyopa Drive and La Cruz Drive, according to the suit, which further states that the problem began in August.
The trucks inhibit the view of Ralphs customers and employees entering and leaving the parking lot, creating a dangerous condition, the suit states.
The vendors' customers in some cases fight with each other and are hostile to Ralphs workers, according to the suit, which further states that Ralphs has had to buy containers because of the trash generated by the vendors.
"On many occasions, store customers have been exposed to (the vendors') customers yelling profanities and driving recklessly," the suit states.
The vendors have not agreed to move to different locations and they remain outside the store despite complaints to the city and the LAPD, the suit further states.
Rodolpho Barrientos is a food truck operator in the area. He said this is not a new issue, claiming Ralph's has wanted them to move out for over a year.
"It's very saddening because they are preventing honest people from making a living," he told KNX News' Nataly Tavidian. "The city gets money from us, and they're preventing economic growth."
Barrientos argues that the lawsuit is not only financially damaging but also unfairly characterizes the food trucks and their customers."I've personally never experienced or seen anyone act in an appropriate manner," he said. In fact, many vendors feel they are the ones being harassed and are now working with an attorney to address the lawsuit.
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