'Railgating' Hurts Game Day Sales at Some Mpls. Businesses

Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak highly promoted new food trucks along the "Purple Path" outside the Metrodome on Vikings' game day. But, not everyone is feeling the party.

Some downtown businesses say their game day sales are down anywhere between 20 and 50 percent. And, they are not pleased that Mayor Rybak took a very visible position supporting their competitors on Vikings home Sundays.

Mamhoud Elgamil, owner of Pizza La Vista, in the Warehouse District, tells 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS his sales are down fifty percent on Sundays when the Vikings play a home game. Elgamil says it is unfair for the Mayor to publicly support food trucks because he pays property taxes, has employees and is a permanent fixture on First Avenue North. Russell King, owner of the Alley Bar and Restaurant also tells 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS that his sales are down on Vikings game day and he, too, thinks it is not fair for Mayor Rybak to push sales of his competitors.

Food trucks pay sales taxes, a business license fee and an obstruction fee. _We asked Mayor Rybak's office for an interview, but we were told no one was available on Sunday.

Tweet