Back from being away: food truck Falafel & Halloumi restarts on Utrecht Science Park after fire
On 20th of July 2024, a fire broke out in the kitchen of the foodtruck Falafel & Halloumi on the Utrecht Science Park. No one was injured, but nothing was left of the food truck. After a crowdfunding campaign, a lot of insurance work and his own money, owner Eid Alhadad managed to restart. We talked to him about how he is doing now.
Eid had been on the Utrecht Science Park with his food truck for over three years. His food was popular among students, employees and visitors to the Utrecht Science Park. The fire that broke out cost him a lot of money and energy, but eventually he managed to come back with a new food truck. Although it is not yet like it used to be. Eid says: ‘It's not yet running as well as it did with the old food truck. Many people don't know we are back. We have the same concept, but unfortunately turnover is still a bit lower. People need to know how to find us again.’
While Eid is positive, it will take time and effort to get back to the old level. ‘We are trying our best to do everything the way we did at the old stall. We have been here for a long time, so hopefully that will help us grow again.’
I have had a lot of support from the area here, many people have called me.’
Eid is very happy with the crowdfunding, although it was not quite enough for the entire funding. ‘I was very happy with the amount raised by the crowdfunding campaign. It certainly supported, but by no means all of it. In the end, a lot had to be arranged with insurance as well and I also had to invest my own money and from family. All in all, it has ensured that I can stand here again, for which I am grateful.’
He continues, ‘I've also had a lot of support from the area here, many people have called me. They said: ‘We stand by you, we are going to support you’. That felt really nice.’
Eid is not quite sure yet what his future looks like here at the Utrecht Science Park. If it were up to him, he would like to stay here for years to come. ‘I'll see, in any case I'm putting my full weight behind it,’ he says.
From Utrecht Science Park Foundation, we are very happy that Falafel & Halloumi is back at the Utrecht Science Park. Hopefully everyone will know how to find their way to its delicious and sustainable food truck again, and we wish Eid the best of luck.
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