At a time when many retail shops are closed,
food trucks not only offer access to consumers, they give businesses the
flexibility go to where consumers are. For example, if you have a food truck or
branded vehicle, consider visiting local neighborhoods, musical ice-cream-truck style, to
sell your products. Other businesses have asked their social media followers to
private message their addresses to be added to the delivery route. Share your
route on social media and let people know when to expect you. First, check
local regulations to ensure this activity is permitted.
For further inspiration, RCI member Anna Dolle
Bushnell with Dolle’s Candyland shares how this multi-generational family
business turned inspiration from their grandfather’s Kandy Kar into a more
modern version of selling their popular treats on-the-go.
Having been in business for over 100 years, my
family is fascinated with using bits of our rich past in order to create a
unique and personal approach to business today. All of our packaging has traces
of our vintage candy boxes, our tried and true recipes remain the same, and we
love to use old relics of our business’s history in today’s decision making. In
a world where business can get swallowed whole in advertising, online
marketing, website management and the like, my brother, Andrew Dolle, and I
decided to revive the simple “Kandy Kar” concept that our grandfather had in
the 1940s.
The
Inspiration
Way back when, our grandfather, Rudolph Dolle,
manufactured and sold salt water taffy from his beloved Kandy Kar.
Unfortunately, we do not know much more about the car simply because our grandfather
had long since passed before my brother and I were born. However, one single
picture gave us the inspiration to revitalize the concept of using a mobile
unit for advertising, sales and fundraising opportunities.
In 2013, over the course of nine months, our
modern-day Kandy Kar came to be. The trailer was custom built and outfitted
with everything needed for caramel popcorn manufacturing and sales. A simple
gas stove, triple sink and ingredients storage was permanently built in. Custom
made shelves were made to attach to the outside windows of the “Kar” in order
to provide for added merchandising space when the trailer is parked.
In addition to caramel popcorn, a variety of
our best-selling candies is offered for sampling and sales. Our famous salt
water taffy, fudge and caramel apples are manufactured and prepackaged in our
plant in Ocean City, Maryland to make storage and merchandising in a small area
possible. In addition to these items, space is available on board for the
manufacturing of two additional products. Dependent upon the event and the
projected consumer, we are able to manufacture cinnamon roasted nuts as well as
cotton candy. Since these machines require little space and can run off of
standard electricity, they are fun options to offer customers of different
demographics.
Expanded
Reach
Within the past year, we have taken the Kandy
Kar to local events, including music festivals, wine and beer fests and
seasonal/holiday fairs. It also has been featured at charity events and several
weddings that have wanted to feature a local “foodie” flair. Most importantly,
Dolle’s Kandy Kar is a wonderful mode of advertising. People unfamiliar with
our brand can see, smell and taste our products in a multitude of locations,
not just at our brick and mortar shops. We also use these unique advertising
opportunities to distribute brochures and company information to inform
potential and life-long customers about our family business, our history and
our products.
Carrying
On Traditions
Although we have no idea what happened to the
original Kandy Kar, we enjoy the feeling that we are carrying on a unique
family business tradition. We imagine that manufacturing salt water taffy
aboard the original Kar must have been a tricky, sticky and hot endeavor. In
today’s Kar, we often think what our grandfather would say if he witnessed air
conditioning, electricity, and running hot and cold water located on a mobile
unit, not to mention payments being swiped on smartphones!
We have certainly enjoyed the reception that we
have received at each event the Dolle’s Kandy Kar has been. We love hearing the
excitement of fair and event goers when they discover that they can enjoy their
favorite Ocean City treats at events around our region, and we love keeping
“what is old is now new” traditions alive!
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