About a month ago, I was at a local restaurant supply store picking up odds ‘n ends when I noticed a coffee catering truck in the parking lot. It was the exact same make and model as my original Javamobile, a Utilimaster Aeromate. So I strolled over for a closer look. Turns out the proprietors, a husband and wife team, were in the truck at the time putting stuff away.
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I introduced myself, told them I’m in the same business, and am intimately familiar with that vehicle. I showed them pics on my phone of my former Javamobile, the new Javamobile, and told them of the fate of the old one. They were a gracious couple. I gave them my card, they gave me theirs, and I told them that I still get calls to cater major events, but I’m no longer doing them. That I only serve at one place, the Beaverton Farmer’s Market. I got the impression they were just starting out in the business, something I can relate to when I think back a few decades; not a lot of contacts yet, struggling to land gigs, etc.
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For the past 20+ years at Christmas, I’ve served a local chain nursery here in Portland. It used to be held at four locations; Southeast Portland, Cedar Hills, Lake Oswego and Vancouver (WA) over a couple of weekends, but they’ve since eliminated the Southeast store. It’s called “Reindeer Magic.” They bring in a Santa Claus, live carolers, even live reindeer for the kiddies to pet. I’d crank out eggnog lattes for the adults and hot chocolate for the urchins until I’d drop.
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Anyway, since Covid entered our lives, Reindeer Magic has been suspended. So the last time I did their event was Christmas 2019. But I got the call yesterday… a call I’ve kinda’ been dreading. “Reindeer Magic is a go for this Christmas Bruce, are you free to join us this holiday season?”
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I took a deep breath and told her; “I’m so sorry Holly, I’m retired now.”
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“Really? Isn’t that your truck I see out in Beaverton on Saturdays?”
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(D’oh! 😖)
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“Yes, it is, but that’s ALL I do now, because they provide me with shore power. I no longer do any events that require running off the generator” (which hasn’t been started in three years).
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“Well, we have a generator now too, so maybe you could use ours?
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“No, I can’t Holly. I just can’t. When I semi-retired three years ago, I figured out how much I could earn in a year without cutting into my Social Security, and I’m right on the cusp as it is. So I don’t want to screw that up.”
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“Okay. I understand. But we’ll miss you.”
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“I’ll miss you guys too. HOWEVER, all is not lost. If you can’t find an available replacement, please consider giving this husband and wife team a call.” I rattled off their cellphone number and email address.
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“Thanks, I will. So you vouch for them?”
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“No, I can’t vouch for them personally, I just happened to meet them. But they seem like nice people, they’re just starting out, and they would probably love it if you gave them a chance.” She told me she would do so.
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And that’s where I left it. I hope she calls them, I hope they take the gig, I hope their customers love them, and I hope everyone lives happily ever after. 🎄
Wonderful chance meeting. It would be great to hear an update on how the event played out and if the new couple did work the event.
Posted by: Mark | September 30, 2022 at 06:52 AM