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Waffle wars: Vendors near Manneken Pis fight it out in court

16:16 21/02/2020

A waffle vendor in the tourist-laden Manneken Pis neighbourhood has taken a nearby shop to court over what it says is a lack of a permit to sell waffles.

According to L’Echo newspaper, La Funambule, a waffle seller on Rue de Tabora, says that OG, which is actually a souvenir shop right next to the Manneken, was refused a permit to sell waffles and fries.

“OG requested a planning permit to sell waffles and fries, but the city turned it down,” explained Le Funambule’s lawyer, Vincent Letellier. “OG appealed the decision, and the region approved a permit to sell fries but not waffles. And what is OG doing? Selling waffles but not fries.”

Le Funambule filed a complaint with the Commercial Tribunal, asking that OG not be allowed to sell waffles on pain of a fine of €1,500 per day. L’Echo spoke to OG’s lawyer, who said the shop is not breaking the law and is in fact awaiting a contractor for renovations to be able to sell fries.

The Tribunal, meanwhile, is considering the case, but is urging both parties to seek outside mediation.

Photo courtesy La Funambule

Written by Lisa Bradshaw

Comments

Frank Lee

Here's a rule of thumb for tourists: the closer you get to the Manneken Pis, the worse and less authentic waffles become.

Feb 21, 2020 18:15