The popular ArtsRiot Truck Stop returns to Burlington — but with some big changes
Brent HallenbeckFood fans who’ve been pining for the ArtsRiot Truck Stop to return to Pine Street are finally getting their wish — the ever-popular event resumes Friday, May 27.
It does so, however, with a big twist.
The collection of trucks doling out delicious food and drink will be stationed not behind the restaurant and arts venue, but across Pine Street. The Truck Stop will be held 4:30-9 p.m. every Friday through Sept. 2 in the roomier parking lot at 377 Pine St., “where the smell of Myer’s Bagels remains strong and the view of the bike path, Adirondacks, and Lake Champlain reminds you of all that is good in Burlington,” according to a news release about the event.
“By far the most frequent question I have received since buying ArtsRiot is, ‘when is the Truck Stop returning?’” said Alan Newman, the Vermont entrepreneur who in 2020 bought the business from founders PJ McHenry and Felix Wai and partner George Lambertson.
Food trucks and more
Pre-pandemic, the ArtsRiot Truck Stop drew food fans by the thousands every summer to hang out at ArtsRiot and sample from more than a dozen food-and-drink vendors. The nights became so popular that the tight alleyway behind the venue often became a tough-to-maneuver gauntlet, especially when holding a plate of food in one hand and a cold beverage in the other.
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The Truck Stop will be run by Max and Louie Orleans, who grew up in Burlington and attended many Truck Stops over the years. Their “hope is to bring back that same dynamic” that for years brought the community together on summer Friday nights, according to the news release.
Admission will continue to be free, according to the news release, and will not only offer food but music, art, activities for kids and three bars operated by ArtsRiot. Parking will be available along Pine Street and in the nearby Maltex Building.
ArtsRiot will continue to hold free concerts at its space across Pine Street in conjunction with the Truck Stop. The first performance at 8 p.m. May 27 at ArtsRiot features rock groups The Burning Sun, OK Cowgirl and Father Figuer.
ArtsRiot is also continuing with plans to open a distillery at its 400 Pine St. location. Newman wrote in an email to the Burlington Free Press that he hopes the distillery will be up and running in mid-June.
Contact Brent Hallenbeck at bhallenbeck@freepressmedia.com. Follow Brent on Twitter at www.twitter.com/BrentHallenbeck.