Recently loosened restrictions on food trucks in the Town of Lexington aren’t loose enough for one local business.

Cox Family BBQ, a popular vendor at the town’s Market at Icehouse, applied for a mobile food vendor permit but was denied, Town Economic Developer Jack Stuart told council at its July 24 work session.

Stuart stated the denial was due to the business utilizing an outdoor kitchen, not one that is self-contained within a vehicle.

Under the town's current ordinance, a mobile food vendor is defined as a self-contained, motorized, vehicle-mounted food service unit that returns daily to its base of operations as approved by the state Department of Health and Environmental Control and is used for either the preparation or sale of food products or both.

The business had also applied to be permitted as a sidewalk vendor and was denied due to the items they sell not being on the permitted merchandise list.

The vendor is currently able to operate at the market due to the Icehouse holding a special event permit.

The town will consider steps to remedy the issue Cox is running up against at its August meeting.

The town recently addressed another snag in its food truck restrictions, taking action last fall to expand the number of food vendors allowed on a property, which was previously capped at between one and four per year depending on the size of the property.

The loosened restrictions allow business/property owners to apply for an annual permit for any food truck to operate on that property, as long as the property owner receives consent from any restaurant within 200 feet. — KK

Riverbanks Zoo offers chance to look in on, help name seal pup

Riverbanks Zoo and Garden welcomed adorable newborns from two species this month.

In early July, the zoo, which straddles Columbia and West Columbia along the Saluda River, welcomed a new harbor seal pup, the first born to dad Triton and mom Riley.

Now, the zoo is offering a chance to check in on the pup as it gets ready to meet visitors.

“Since it will be a few weeks before the pup is ready to join the rest of our pinnipeds on public view, we invite you to enjoy a backstage peek at mom and pup on our ZooCam,” Riverbanks posted to Facebook, noting that the cam is live at riverbansk.org/zoocam 8-10 a.m. and 5-8 p.m. daily.

The zoo is also seeking the public’s help to name the pup, allowing visitors the cam page to cast their vote for the names Mirabel, Bonnie, Scout or Piper through Aug. 2 at 5 p.m. The  name will be announced Aug. 3.

The zoo also announced the hatching of four rockhopper penguin chicks on July 10.

The new penguin residents are anticipated to return to public view in mid-August after a “four-week staycation to enjoy the safety of the kiddie pool and build swim-skills,” at which point they will “swim with the big kids.” — JL

West Columbia tire shop closes

A West Columbia tire shop that served the community for nearly a decade is closed.

Ricky’s Tire & Auto Center, located at 1534 Sunset Blvd. beneath a big billboard featuring the beaming visage of owner Ricky Branham, announced last week that it was no longer in business.

According to the Greater Cayce West Columbia Chamber of Commerce website, Branham started the business in 2016 after working for several years at Kershaw Tire in Cayce.

“This really breaks my heart, but I have no choice,” Branham posted to the shop’s Facebook page July 21. “First, I want to say thank you to everyone that has been to the tire store. I have so many customers that have become really good friends and I want to tell you how much it means to me. I love each and everyone of you guys and I appreciate all the business that we have done together. Unfortunately the tire store is now closed permanently. Life happens and sometimes we can’t do anything to control it but like I said, I just wanted to tell everyone thank you and I pray that God continues blessing each and everyone of you. I’m going to miss you all!!!!!!”

The shop wasn’t Branham’s only labor. He serves as an assistant pastor at Faith Baptist Church of Columbia. — JL