St. Louis Snow Cone already has the coolest food truck in town -- a 1957 Chevy van tricked out until it morphed into the Snow Sled. Might as well up the cool ante by adding a pop-up movie screen, classic movies and collaborations with a variety of St. Louis' newest food businesses.
That's what St. Louis Snow Cone is doing this summer with its Drive-In Movie and Car Cruise series. St. Louis Snow Cone also owns Clean Cut Creations, a vehicle modification and design shop that specializes in classic cars. Hence, the 54-year-old van-turned-snow cone truck.
Once a month from June through October, it's creating an Americana scene -- classic cars at the drive-in. It's also souping up the food. In addition to the snow cones with flavors tied in to each movie, it has worked with Frostbite Ice Cream and brand-new food truck Shell's Coastal Cuisine for concessions. Also, the Boy Scouts are selling candy and drinks.
Gut Check talked to co-owner Joann Kuehl about the makeshift drive-in theater.
Gut Check What exactly is the Drive-In Movie and Car Cruise?
Joann Kuehl The St. Louis Drive-In Movie and Car Cruise Series is a six-month series of events held on the third Saturday of the month, May through October. Drive-in movie-style parking is available for vehicles 1972 and older and other specialty and collector vehicles outside of that year range.
Although we provide speakers, participants can listen to the sound through any FM radio. The night kicks off with a car cruise and activities for the kids and kids at heart. We're still working on all the details for the June 18 event, but we always have coloring for the kids, temporary tattoos and participation from the local police and fire department. A 50/50 is being held to benefit Officer Matt Crosby at each event. Senior Dogs 4 Seniors, a dog rescue group, comes out each month for a special adoption event with all the great dogs looking for forever homes. Participants will have the opportunity to win attendance prizes and visit with businesses and organizations that are sponsors of the event. The events are free thanks to the generosity of our sponsors.
When and where is the next one?
The next event is held on June 18, with pre-movie activities starting at 6 pm and the movie starting at dark. This month's movie is The Blues Brothers. The event is held at our shop, located at 950 Des Peres Avenue in Webster Groves, near Manchester and McKnight. We will also be collecting food and clothing donations for the tornado relief efforts in Joplin. What movies will be shown?
June - The Blues Brothers July - Smokey and the Bandit August - Pee Wee's Big Adventure September - It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World October - Ghostbusters What prompted you to organize these events? We love the nostalgia of the drive-in. A drive-in event just fit right in with what we do for our day jobs. We attend so many car cruises throughout the summer, we thought we'd bring both of our passions together and create a fun event for the entire community. We are really making an effort to provide a platform for small businesses and organizations to come together, network and tell the community about their product, services or organizations. We offer vendor and information booths for free to all participating organizations.
What flavors are most popular so far this summer?
Although we have some great flavors like cheesecake, red raspberry, banana split and rum and Coke, the most popular flavors are still cherry, rainbow and blue. Not blueberry or blue raspberry, blue.
What did you think of the first event? Did any particular moment stand out?
We were very happy with the first event. Everything went off without a hitch, even the weather, which was perfect even though the forecast was 80 percent chance of rain.
What I really can't stop talking about is the amazing group of sponsors and volunteers that pitched in to help every step of the way, from promotion, funding and attendance prizes, to set up and tear down. This really was a group effort to put on a great community event. We were excited to have an American Graffiti Milner's 1932 Ford Coupe clone come to the May movie, American Graffiti.
Here's the Snow Sled in action.
