Punxsutawney Phil may have seen his shadow this morning, but it won’t be long before warmer weather winds its way into the Upper Ohio Valley.
For St. Clairsville residents, warmer weather also means fun Friday afternoons on the plaza out in front of the Belmont County Courthouse, and tasty food.
Sponsored by the St. Clairsville Area Chamber of Commerce, Food Truck Fridays will soon be back for its fourth season, beginning in May.
But that hasn’t stopped interested food truck owners from contacting Chamber Executive Director Wendy Anderson about getting on board—both come May and any Friday, if the opportunity is presented.
“We usually set up May through October, but we tell the food trucks who’ve signed up, anyone who would like to have a Friday, we’ll promote them,” Anderson said. “So Nuts 4 Donuts said they’d do it every Friday if they could.”
A who’s who of Ohio Valley food trucks make stops in St. Clairsville throughout the late spring and early summer. But it’s not just local vendors that participate.
Regionally popular trucks also take turns on East Main Street in town, including fan favorites like Le Macaron from Canton, a truck specializing in macarons and assorted French pastries.
Safe to say, it’s been a successful run thus far.
“We’ve had it for about three years now, and we’ve had (trucks) come from as far away as Canton.
“It’s been very good for them, and we don’t charge a fee. They take all the money they make.”
Full, Happy Bellies
Once May hits, there’s no doubt what day of the week is Friday when you drive thru downtown St. C.
Upwards of three food trucks line up outside the courthouse and provide throngs of hungry patrons with a host of delectable options.
“It gives people the variety and flexibility to grab food on the go, either sit down and eat or just go and return to what they were doing,” Anderson said. “And especially with (trucks) like IG’s Pigs or Wood Fired Pizza, people know them. They come with a good reputation.
“People know their food and they want it, plus it gives people a variety.”
While a good portion of the customers come from the local downtown business community stopping by on their lunch breaks, it’s not just workers, or even townies, taking part in enjoying Food Truck Fridays.
Word has gotten around, and people will travel into town, just to patronize the food trucks.
“People will come into town, just for them,” Anderson said. “They follow the trucks on social media, so they know when and where they will be. We’ll also have companies that call ahead and order a really big lunch for their employees, like $100 or more worth of food.
“They come into town, and it’s already packed up and ready to go. It’s really convenient.”
Food Truck Friendly
St. Clairsville is certainly welcoming to food trucks. You can find the trucks in towns and stops all throughout the valley. But some are more welcoming than others.
There’s no charge to set up shop in St. C. for one. All that’s asked is the truck owners contact the Chamber office to coordinate. If the health department has signed off, that’s all that’s required.
“That’s what the (operators) tell me, is they love coming to St. Clairsville,” Anderson said. “As long as you have your health department sticker, you’re good to go.
“Whenever they want to come, they can just check with the Chamber first. I tell people, the city is very good with us and they are supportive as well.”
The Chamber is also supportive of its in-town restaurants as well. The city features the Newellstown Diner, Giacinta’s Gelato & Caffe, and the recently opened Mary Jane’s Bakery, along with a long list of pizza options within walking distance of the courthouse plaza.
That’s why, especially now during the Food Truck Friday offseason, the chamber is working to balance opportunities for both the trucks, along with their in-town eateries.
“So Nuts 4 Donuts said they’d like to be here every Friday, but we do have a donut shop up in town now, so we’d have to limit them to once a month,” Anderson said. “Mary Jane’s has really stepped it up with their baked goods.”
They also work the schedule so the same type of trucks aren’t there on the same Friday. For instance, you’re not going to see IG’s Pigs the same weekend as the Mason Dixon BBQ food truck. You won’t see So Nuts 4 Donuts at the same time as Le Macaron.
The Chamber works to provide the best experience for both patrons and food truck proprietors. The limit for each Friday is generally 2-3 trucks, as any more creates a bit of a crowded atmosphere in downtown.
That being said, Anderson noted that Recreation Department director Eric Gay is working on a Food Truck festival down behind the rec center on the amphitheater grounds.
Anyone food truck looking to travel to St. Clairsville, either in general or participate in Food Truck Fridays is invited to contact Anderson at the Chamber office at (740) 695-9623 or visit it on Facebook.
