VANCOUVER, Wash. (KOIN) — Chelsea Chunn and her husband Cory launched Chunney Pop in 2017, a food cart that sells fresh fruit popsicles.
The Chunns live with the 2-year-old daughter Eleanor in LaCenter but operate their business out of a commercial kitchen in Vancouver. They launched their business in April 2017 after being inspired on their honeymoon in Key West.
They came across fresh fruit popsicles on that trip. Corey said he has a background as a chef and in business. “We’ve always wanted to start a business.”
The couple does private and corporate events as well as selling them at the Vancouver Farmer’s Market. They said they have permits for other spots in Vancouver.
In September and October, they set up their Chunney Pop push cart on a sidewalk at the Vancouver waterfront.
“All of a sudden we had somebody just kind of really confront us about what we were doing and tell us we needed to leave immediately,” Cory said. “From there on we just started looking at what we were able to do and not do down there. There’s really nothing clear or stated publicly.”
But that’s when they learned about a 2009 development agreement that has them pretty upset.
“Currently, there’s a development agreement between the city and the developer that doesn’t allow outside vendors in the area that were dedicated to the city, so that includes the park and the sidewalks,” said Vancouver’s Economic Development Manager Teresa Brum.
“We don’t allow food vendors all over downtown. They’re only allowed in certain areas anyway,” Brum said.
The Vancouver waterfront opened in September with 2 restaurants. Three more restaurants announced they’re opening and other buildings — including a hotel and apartment buildings plus an office — are under construction.
“The future of the waterfront is still evolving,” Brum said. “We’re trying to work with every business that we can to give them opportunities there.”
She said 95% of the businesses in Vancouver are considered small businesses and there are “quite a few programs” to help them streamline the permit process, technical help and provide one-on-one assistance, too.
Chelsea wants the 2009 agreement amended to help support small businesses and she’s hopeful something can be worked out.
“I’m a person who remains optimistic until proven otherwise,” she told KOIN 6 News. “Our logo is ‘Anything is popsicle.’ So I think that applies here in making sure that if you’re persistent, if you encourage conversation, when you open the dialogue, partnership is what happens.”
Last week, the couple raised their concerns at a Vancouver City Council meeting and want other small businesses to get involved as well.
City officials said they plan to meet the couple on Wednesday to learn more and to discuss possible options.
The Chunns want to make sure the city creates partnerships or policies “that doesn’t have to squash big business or small business.”
That’s their goal, they said.
“I think those could include doing some pilot programs together with Chunney Pop and other small businesses, if they want to join us. It’s a chance to do something different and test what will work.”
“I’ll bring some of my staff and I’m optimistic that we can help her out,” Brum said.
