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

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