More local vendors going mobile
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By JEFF KORBELIK/Lincoln Journal Star
For Jamie Yost, Red Eye Coffee started as a class project last spring at Southeast Community College.
Told to dream up her own business, the 29-year-old turned to what she knew best: coffee.
A barista at The Mill, Yost decided to sell gourmet coffees, pastries and more from a mobile cart at office parties, fund-raisers, etc.
“The more I thought about this thing, the more I thought this could actually work for real,” she said.
She recruited a partner -- former Mill employee Jill Cockson -- bought two small lightweight carts and worked out a deal with The Mill to sell its products.
“I wanted it super, super simple, so I could go anywhere,” she said. “All we need is an (electrical) outlet, and we’re ready to rock.”
Her first event was a private party for her mother’s hairdresser.
“We had a full menu board,” she said. “We set it up as if you’re coming to get a drink at The Mill. You wait a couple of minutes and then you’re on your way.”
What Yost is doing isn’t new. Traveling businesses such as The Margarita Man, The Waffleman and downtown hot dog vendors have been around Lincoln for years.
But what they are doing — creating mobile businesses as a second income — is becoming more and more and common.
And why not?
Operations such as Red Eye Coffee have little overhead. Once the one-time start-up costs have been paid and the proper permits have been retained, then it’s just time and effort.
Julie Anderson, for example, founded Smokers Paradise — her BBQ-on-wheels business — just this fall.
The state employee said she and some friends were sitting around talking one night when the conversation turned to her gig selling concessions at Nebraska football games.
“There is a lot of money to be had,” she said. “We thought ‘Why not try it?’”
She bought a smoker from a local retailer and began selling ribs at 10th and New Hampshire streets during home games. For out of town games, she sets up shop in parking lot outside the former Armstrong’s Furniture at 48th and R streets, leasing the space for a minimal fee.
At each location, she distributes flyers describing Smokers Paradise as available for graduations, block parties, birthdays and more.
“Our biggest expense is for (the ribs) we sell,” she said. “We haven’t made a lot, but we didn’t expect to during our first year. We feel like we’re getting better and better every time. At least, that’s what people are telling us.”
Rebecca Dallman and Pamela Cory have operated Espresso To You, a full-service gourmet coffee cart similar to Red Eye.
They purchased the business two years ago from another person who started it four years earlier.
Dallman said she and Cory were looking to do something together to complement their full-time jobs.
“We have a 1999 Dodge Caravan,” she said. “That’s our overhead.”
They’ve set up in doctor’s offices, banks, insurance companies … wherever and whoever wants their services.
“We’re able to make money, but what we found is when we go into places that people are happy to see us,” she said. “We’ve met a lot of interesting people. It’s just been a lot of fun for for us.”
As it has for Jason Wagner. A social worker, he found he loved to smoke BBQ for his friends and family. He took it step further, starting Creative Seasonings two years ago.
You will find him on Husker game days at the new Red9, the bar that formerly was P.O. Pears at Ninth and M streets. He sells ribs, brisket, pulled pork, sausages and more.
“We enjoy it,” he said. “We’re pretty decent at it, and we have fun with it.”
What makes it for him is having the ability to operate out of Wasabi, the downtown Lincoln sushi restaurant owned by Robert Burns.
“We work with Robbie and use his kitchen,” Wagner said. “We don’t have to play for electricity, water, gas or lights. Basically, when I’m done, I give him a percentage.”
Red Eye Coffee and Espresso To You have established businesses helping them out as well. The Mill stores Red Eye’s carts, while Billy’s Restaurant allows Espresso To You to store its supplies.
“The Mill has been such a great help,” Yost said. “They have been so supportive of this whole thing and without them I would have had a way harder time of getting this started.”
Reach Jeff Korbelik at 473-7213 or jkorbelik@journalstar.com.
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yes wrote on November 3, 2008 4:56 pm:
Mobile Vendor Fan wrote on November 3, 2008 6:44 pm:
They have a beautiful smoker, Husker red tent and yes a permit from the Lincoln Lancaster County Health Department that is right there for you to see. When checking out a vendor it is important to make sure they appear clean and neat have a permit and should of course have water present. If all these thing exist then by all means give them a try it just may be the best food you'll ever eat. And remember when you eat a restaurant you don't see there kitchen. "