WASHINGTON – One of Arlington’s most beloved food trucks is celebrating Monday after a judge dismissed the case against Seoul Food, whose kimchi, donburi and bibimbap have been feeding locals on the move for more than a year.
Owners Anna Shil and her husband JP Goree faced up to a year in jail and a $2,500 fine for allegedly violating an Arlington County law mandating that food trucks move every hour.
The couple had been repeatedly cited by a police officer who said they were not moving far enough even though the law currently does not stipulate what distance is acceptable.
“I’m happy this is behind us and we can focus back on making the food we love, serving our regulars and preparing to open our brick-and-mortar restaurant,” Shil said in a statement. “I hope this case spurs the country to get rid of its 60- minute rule.”
In December, Shil shared on Facebook a tense encounter with a police officer:
“At courthouse, today, we were greeted by the cop as soon as we pulled over … After one hour vending, at 12;15, we moved our truck with our customer’s help, and kept running the business. The same cop appeared around 1;00, insisted we didn’t move and gave me another court order.”
Shil says the officer “tried to humiliate” her, and said it was her “lucky day” because he didn’t ask for a business license.
The Food Truck Association of Metropolitan Washington says it is hoping to work with Arlington County to draft a new law that is easier to understand.
With the legal drama out of the way, Seoul Food can now focus on opening a new restaurant in Silver Spring later this year. Details have not been released, but Shil says they will be located at 11310 Georgia Avenue, Washingtonian reports.
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