Quaker Shaker owners plan to ignore U. order to leave campus

Developments over the weekend set the stage for a showdown early this morning between the Quaker Shaker food truck and University officials. Last night, Director of Transportation Bob Furniss informed Quaker Shaker owners Tim Dever and Mark Gosik that they would be blocked from the 37th Street entrance to Locust Walk –– a spot their truck has occupied for the last 12 years. University administrators had informed Dever and Gosik over the summer that construction of the Penn Women's Center at 3643 Locust Walk would force the Quaker Shaker to move. Although their lease terminated Saturday, the owners said they would not leave without a fight. Gosik, who also owns a pub in Upper Darby, questioned why the truck had to relocate immediately. "We've been a good tenant and to be told just to leave –– without any solid answers –– after 12 years, is kind of callous," he said. He added that he is trying to drum up student support for keeping the truck at its previous spot. "We have about 1,200 petitions so far and classes haven't even started yet," he said. The truck has a couple hundred patrons every day, Gosik said. "I think the student body definitely wants us on campus –– otherwise we wouldn't be doing any business," he added. Vice President for Government, Community and Public Affairs Carol Scheman -- whose responsibilities include overseeing local vendors -- said she was surprised Gosik disobeyed the administration's request. "When I spoke with him before, he was so reasonable and responsive and understanding," she said. "I guess he made the calculation that since things around the University often move somewhat slowly, why not make another day of business," she added. The Quaker Shaker is the only vendor located on the central campus. Although it may not be allowed to retain its previous spot, the vending truck could be included in future plans to regulate vending around campus. Working with vendors, Philadelphia City Council member Jannie Blackwell, students and representatives from the surrounding community, Scheman is spearheading a plan to make University City food trucks safer and more accessible. The team is also debating how many vendors –– if any –– should be allowed on campus, and where. "I haven't talked to anyone who would disagree with a uniform vending plan," Scheman said. "The vendors realize there will be winners and losers, but they are willing to work through the current problems." Primary among these problems are poor sanitation, hazards caused by vendors blocking the entrance of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and competition between trucks, she said. "The long-term University City vendors, especially, have been damaged by the influx of new vendors forced out of other parts of the city," she added. "They would like to see a more level playing field." However, Gosik said he would not welcome such a plan. "There are close to 200 street vendors in the area," he said. "We have tried to disassociate ourselves from them by running a clean operation and having a good relationship with the University."