It's been more than a year since South Bend's Common Council passed the food truck ordinance. So where are all the trucks? WSBT 22 spoke to several food truck owners about serving in downtown South Bend.

A few say they're glad South Bend made the decision back in 2015, but they believe there are still kinks that need to be worked out.

They say the Smart Street construction and permit costs are things holding back other food trucks.

Jessie Miles, owner of the Grateful Green, opened her food truck last February. However, this year, she's staying closed until spring.

"We found it's a very seasonal venture where during the summer time when it's nice and sunny and warm, lots of people want to come out. When it's like this nobody wants to stand out in the cold and get their food,” said Miles.

According to the St. Joseph County Health Department, six food truck permits were issued in 2016. So far this year no one has renewed their permit. But that's considered normal since food trucks are seasonal.

Miles says she's had great success, but she says other food trucks have told her South Bend is too expensive.

"I can see other food truck owners being hesitant to pay the almost $1,000 to just operate in the city. Whereas other cities such as Indianapolis get the county and the city license permits together. It's only around $300 and there are a lot more people in Indianapolis than in South Bend,” said Miles.

It was a combination of working in restaurants and enjoying food truck at a festival that inspired Mandi Alanize to open up her own food truck.

She's hoping to have her Waffle Wagon food truck ready by March first.

"Waffles. They're just a unique thing. Sometimes, not everyone makes them at home so it's not something that you get all the time. And it's very versatile. It's just an iron. You can put all sorts of things in it,” said Alanize.

Alaniz says the South Bend permit prices were never an issue when starting her food truck business.

"Permits is part of, I think, the business. Just because it's a food truck doesn't mean it's going to be less expensive than say a brick and mortar restaurant. So it's just something you budget for,” said Alanize.

Rocio Sheyko, owner of the Sweet Treats Food Truck, says they've looked at nearby cities like Elkhart and Goshen to help their business.

South Bend Common Council President Tim Scott says Smart Street construction caused fewer permits.

But he's optimistic about more coming to downtown this year. When asked about permit costs, he says he plans on looking into the ordinance later in the year.