PORTLAND, OR (KPTV) -
The Cartlandia food cart pod in southeast Portland went through all of the necessary steps to get approved and finally get a liquor license this year.
But now, Portland Mayor Sam Adams is taking legal action to stop local food cart vendors from serving alcohol.
Adams and the city of Portland filed a lawsuit against the Oregon Liquor Control Commission for granting a liquor license to Cartlandia last week. Adams and Commissioner Amanda Fritz think it's a safety hazard.
They said the OLCC does not have clear rules about alcohol served at food carts and they think it's a dangerous move.
OLCC leaders said they have to treat food carts the same as brick and mortar restaurants.
Cartlandia is on Southeast 82nd Avenue near the Springwater Trail. About a dozen food carts are set up there and, in the middle, there's a new beer garden where customers of age can buy beer and wine.
The vendors were granted a liquor license a couple months ago, and they said it has been great for business.
Vendors tell FOX 12 they haven't had a single problem with the beer garden and they are angry, saying city leaders are trying to interfere with their success.
"I've just had my notions confirmed about how far the city will go out of their way to get in the way of the small business man, who's trying to conduct legal and honest business," said Cheesesteak Nirvana owner Ben Goodrich. "I feel like the mayor didn't get his way and now he's throwing a tantrum."
FOX 12 contacted Adams' office for a comment, but a spokeswoman said they can't comment on an ongoing litigation.
She would only say they filed the lawsuit on May 10 and there's no word yet on when it could go to court.
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