ARLINGTON, Wash. — The summer festival season is now underway and that means big opportunities for small businesses.
Some in Snohomish County, however, are having a terrible time getting permits to operate. Delays are lasting months — cutting into business while piling on fines and fees.
Food trucks and mobile coffee stands make much of their money by going to farmers markets and festivals, especially in the summer time.
But many are now at a standstill because they either can't get a permit or have to pay a penalty for a temporary one.
Earlier this year when Mel Grenier decided to open up a mobile coffee shop, she knew she'd need some help.
"My husband is running around all the time, my mom, my dad, grandfather," she said.
Right now, though, she's not getting much help from Snohomish County.
"It's been a big hassle," Grenier said, "a very big hassle."
Grenier invested $100,000 to get her Hay Girl rolling coffee trailer up and running, only to find getting the proper permits to operate will take three to five months as opposed to the standard four to six weeks.
"It's really hard to stay open. It's hard to want to stay open when it's hard to follow the rules," she said.
In order to open, Grenier is being required to pay for temporary permits, plus fees and penalties totaling $155 for every event she works.
That's up to $620 for a four-day weekend, and it's in addition to the $855 she already paid for a "plan review fee" for a "new mobile food unit."
"We're happy to pay our fine, we're happy to play by the rules but at some point it becomes very excessive," Grenier said.
The Snohomish County Health department is in charge of permitting. Its director was not available for an interview Thursday, but In a letter to the Snohomish County Council the department attributes the backlog to "recent staff turnover and a significant number of applications." The letter goes on to state the department has made "internal staffing changes to increase capacity."
About 80 businesses are still awaiting permits.
With little choice, Grenier is paying the county, and prepping her coffee stand for this weekend's Marysville Strawberry Festival, hoping to see the fruits of her labor.
Grenier said she has no plans to give up her dream.
She's fighting for her family and to keep the lights from going out on her business.
"I think I have to for my kids," she says, fighting back tears. "I just want to show them that it's worth it no matter what happens, and if we have to shut down one day then we do, but right now we're going to keep fighting."
The health department says it hopes to clear the backlog by August with waits expected to be back to four to six weeks.