‘They don’t have the appetite to do it’: Jake questions enforcement against unlicensed vendors after Seattle fruit stand dispute

A confrontation on Seattle’s waterfront drew online backlash after restaurant co-owner Nathan Bainbridge questioned a fruit vendor’s permits and threw some of his merchandise into the trash. Bainbridge, co-owner of Premier Meat Pies in Renton, told FOX 13 he was concerned about food safety but acknowledged he should have walked away.

Co-hosts Jake Skorheim and Spike O’Neill on “The Jake and Spike Show” on KIRO Newsradio criticized Bainbridge’s handling of the vendor’s property, but questioned the response directed at his business.

“He had no right to do that,” Spike said.

“He’s paying more of a price than he should now,” Jake responded. “They’re review-bombing his company. They’re calling him a racist.”

Vendor and restaurant owner describe the confrontation

The vendor told FOX 13 he considered the encounter racist and said Bainbridge claimed to represent the city. Bainbridge told the station he was not with the city and was asking about a health department permit.

The hosts played audio of Bainbridge describing his concerns and acknowledging the argument.

“It escalated into an argument, which I should not have done, to be frank,” Bainbridge said in the recording.

Jake discussed the vendor’s account and what remained unresolved.

“The vendor said he actually has his paperwork in order, and he said he’s got two food trucks which are permitted,” Jake said. “There is a public health investigation into whether or not he was operating that stand legally.”

Spike distinguishes the cart from permitted food trucks

Spike questioned whether food truck permits would cover a separate fruit stand.

“He said he’s got permits for two food trucks. This was a fruit cart,” Spike said. “I don’t know the dynamics of licensing and business operating permits.”

He then discussed the expenses businesses face to meet food safety requirements.

“We’re all trying to make a living,” Spike said. “The people who are trying to make a living who go through the permitting process and the code requirements, who have to spend extra money on sanitation and handwashing stations and refrigeration and all the things that make sure we’re getting some safe food when we get it from a vendor.”

Spike offered his interpretation of Bainbridge’s frustration while rewording his objection to the confrontation.

“I understand that Mr. Bainbridge was probably tired of seeing these folks out there undercutting business from people who are doing it the right way,” Spike said.

That was Spike’s assessment, not a determination that this vendor was operating illegally.

Hosts question enforcement rather than private intervention

The discussion turned to the government’s role in addressing unlicensed vending.

“The problem here is the city doesn’t have the means, the resources, or it seems the intent,” Spike said.

“I don’t think they have the appetite to do it,” Jake added.

Spike called for enforcement to protect businesses that follow the rules.

“You want to stop losing tax revenue from your business operators. Stop undercutting your business operators,” Spike said. “Crack down.”

Watch the full discussion in the video above.

Listen to “The Jake and Spike Show” weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. on KIRO Newsradio 97.3