September 29, 2015 – 
It’s going to be an endless summer for Fran Grayson—owner of the locavore Truck Stop food truck. Grayson last year won permission to park the truck on Lighthouse Field near the famous Steamer Lane surf spot in Santa Cruz. Now she‘s signed the lease on a permanent concession at the state park and is gearing up to open Steamer Lane Supply, which will sell sandwiches, ice cream, drinks, surf supplies and local gift items from an 800 square foot shop, equipped with a kitchen and located next to the restrooms.
“It’s a total win-win,” says Grayson. “State Parks have been on board with this and loyal to me from day one.”
The mobile Truck Stop will remain parked at the field, dishing up fish tacos and a new sausage sandwich she plans to add, using local meat from El Salchichero. “We’re going to put out tables in between the truck and the store to create a little scene out there,” she adds.
Steamer Lane Supply will offer pre-made sandwiches, coffee and surf essentials, like wax and leashes. There will be branded hoodies and hats and a little collection of locally crafted food products, like Isabel Freed’s Pantry House mustards, for tourists to take home with them.
Grayson said the process of gaining the concession took nearly two years and that she submitted an 80-page application. “We’re hopeful that the store will help clean up the neighborhood and attract a critical mass of people to drive out the sketchy element. We’ve already seen that having the truck parked there helps.”
Grayson—who has worked as a construction manager—is supervising the nautical design and build out herself and hopes to be open by the end of the year.
About the author
Deborah Luhrman is publisher and editor of Edible Monterey Bay. A lifelong journalist, she has reported from around the globe, but now prefers covering our flourishing local food scene and growing her own vegetables in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
