ALBUQUERQUE, NM (KRQE) – A once-empty lot in northeast Albuquerque is undergoing a makeover, with plans to help Asian women and businesses. The Pacific Rim Food Truck Park is coming to the corner of Louisiana and Santa Monica.
Judy Chiang, owner of the nearby Rising Star Chinese restaurant, said she got the idea for the food truck park during the pandemic. “I have a restaurant. We are very lucky. We have survived because we have a car through the window. So we survive. But for the others, a lot of the small businesses went out of business,” she said.
He also said that he knows of many businesses that went out of business and were owned by Asians. “Because of the language barrier, they couldn’t, without the help, they couldn’t apply for UI, the government grant,” he said. “My family has had a restaurant business for 20 years, I want to give back to the community a little bit more.”
Working with Grace Church, which is located next door and owns the vacant lot, they installed grass, shade sails, tables and five food trucks, all Asian, and owned by women to get started. They include Vietnamese food, Japanese food and South American food.
They plan to eventually have 10 food trucks, with Hawaiian barbecue and burger vendors in the works. Pacific Rim will also have a drive through cafe. There have been some delays, such as trying to connect to power with PNM.
“Six months from when we started, the start to apply. That’s the hardest part,” Chiang said. “As long as we have power connected, we’re going to set up cameras, Wi-Fi, security, so we can have a better environment for people to have dinner, sit down for dinner as well.”
They also hope to eventually have farmers markets there. While furry friends aren’t allowed yet, Chiang said it will be a family-friendly place. “…encourage people to come here and use this as a fun, family, community place to enjoy,” Chiang said.
She said this is also an opportunity to support small businesses in a big way. “We need more help from the local community instead of the government,” she said. “…I just want to invite the community member to come and support this program…. This way, we can help my suppliers make their dreams come true.”
The food truck park will have a soft opening on Thursday, October 13, 2022. It will have its grand opening on Sunday, October 30, 2022 and will remain open six days a week. Chiang said that part of the proceeds from the food trucks will go to Grace Church to help fund mission trips.
