Off The Grid Food Trucks Coming to Marin

Larkspur Landing area shopping center Marin Country Mart continues to reinvent its image with a new addition to its featured cast of characters.

Off The Grid, a popular and successful group of food truck vendors, will set up Sunday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., in the same parking lot space occupied by the weekly farmer's markets on Saturdays. 

Seven vendors will be at Sunday's food truck event, including some who were members of the weekly across the road at the Larkspur Landing Ferry Terminal. The Food Truck Crush shuttered its doors for the winter but is expected to return next year.

"People had a positive experience at Food Truck Crush. Our target market is a little different," said Matt Cohen, owner of Off The Grid. "Our target is a little more toward bringing people out for an afternoon. We're trying to attract people who are in Marin shopping, relaxing on Sundays."

Sunday's vendors at Marin Country Mart include Hapa SF, Koja Kitchen, CupKates, Curry Up Now, ArKi Truck, Sanguchon and Suzie Q's. Two more vendors are expected to be added the following week for the official opening.

Cohen established Off The Grid in San Francisco, bringing together a number of individual food truck vendors in the belief that there's strength in numbers. 

"When you're on a night out with your friends, someone wants Chinese, someone else wants Italian, another person want Indian, well, they can all split up, get their food and meet up and try a new experience," Cohen said." 

That formula's proven to be successful for a number of vendors, who've found it easier to attract customers and even gain operating permits within the Off The Grid community.

"I've been involved in mobile food for three years," Cohen said. "I was consulting and one of the big needs we identified was a place where people could park together. The first Off The Grid at Fort Mason was a reflection of that need."

Cohen had been looking to expand into Marin and found a ready partner in Marin Country Mart, despite the presence of three established restaurants and a Starbucks.

"Why we chose that location is we think we can bring a different demographic to Marin Country Mart and it'll be great for anyone involved," Cohen said.

"We treat each location separately. In Larkspur, we're looking for family-friendly, high-quality, value-priced food. We have really excellent food with a relatively great value."

Vendors must bide by the rules set down by Cohen and his team, though. Off The Grid charges vendors $50 per event and 10 percent of each vendor's earnings. Cohen's team also charges for business advice. Off The Grid operates rain or shine.

In addition, new vendors must meet Cohen's standards in terms of aesthetics and business practices. He also taste tests every item on the menu.

"Sunday, people will have the chance to sit outside and we'll have seven great trucks for them to enjoy," Cohen said.

City Manager Dan Schwarz has reported that he has received inquiries from independent food truck vendors about setting up in other areas of Larkspur, including Piper Park.

The Larkspur Landing shopping center was purchased by J.S. Rosenfield and Co. in 2009 and rebranded Marin Country Mart in 2010. The new plan for Marin Country Mart calls for 90 percent retail space, including more restaurants.