Campustown may be losing one of its late-night traditions — the city is considering revoking the gyro stand vending license.

In a letter to Steve Schainker, Ames city manager, from D.R. Newbrough, local attorney, Newbrough asked the city to revoke the gyro stand’s vending license on behalf of the Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches owner. The letter stated the gyro stand did not provide a public restroom for its patrons, which violates state and local code.

Neither Schainker nor City Attorney John Klaus had returned several phone calls as of press time.

“The requirement is [that] all the vendors should have a lavatory,” said Ahmed Merchant, owner of Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches, which has been located at 135 Welch Ave. since September.

Michael Goodman, owner of Smiles, Inc. operates the gyro stand that has been on Welch Avenue for 16 years, disagreed.

“It is not required by the state code,” Goodman said. “It’s a transient location. It is not a building, so we have a different set of rules.”

Izela Gauna, general manager of Jimmy John’s, wrote a letter to the Ames City Council complaining of problems she had been experiencing with gyro stand patrons.

Gauna said people are using the Jimmy John’s bathroom and bringing their gyros in the store.

“It gets irritating sometimes. You are spending the whole time trying to kick people out because they have gyros,” Gauna said. She said gyros are not allowed in the store because it is against Jimmy John’s corporate policy to allow outside food in the store.

Goodman said he is not able to control what customers do once they have left his line with their gyros.

“That is not something I feel is my responsibility,” Goodman said. “I am not encouraging people to do that.”

Gauna said she understands how it might be hard for Goodman to watch his customers. “You really can’t keep your eye on everyone,” she said.

Merchant said the gyro stand blocks the Jimmy John’s entrance and the smoke from the grill fills his store.

“That was the only problem, that the stand was blocking our restaurant,” Merchant said.

Merchant asked Goodman to move the stand down, but Goodman has refused, Guana said.

Goodman said he believes the reason behind the letters to the city is that Merchant does not want the gyro stand at the corner because of competition.

“We have been there for 16 years. We do a great deal of business at night,” Goodman said. “If they can’t compete with us, that is too bad.”

Merchant said Jimmy John’s smoke-related complaints have nothing to do with the city’s decision. He said the city is looking into revoking the license because the gyro stand does not have a public restroom and is therefore operating illegally.

“The reason [the city] gave was not because of me,” Merchant said. “Even though they have been causing us problems.”

Goodman said he tries to make an effort to help all the vendors in the campustown community. He said he gives Kum & Go a stack of one dollar bills if they need it for change. He also said he has helped the hot dog vendor.

“I am just very disappointed and frustrated with the way Ahmed Merchant has acted with regards to our business,” he said.

At this point, no decision has been made by the city.

“We are not just trying to sell food,” Goodman said. “We are trying to do something that is a tradition. We are trying to do something special here.”

— Stefanie Peterson contributed to this article.