An interview with Annie Smith, owner of Annie's Concessions
Q: When did you start your food truck?
A: I’ve been in the concession industry for 16 years. In 2017, I started Annie's Concessions.
Q: What made you want to start a food truck?
A: I really enjoy everything about the business. After getting my bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University and working a couple of office jobs, I realized I hated being stuck inside all day. A wonderful friend of mine, Bobbie Thomas, was getting ready to retire after 30 years as a concessionaire serving Knox County and surrounding areas. It was a great opportunity with an amazing mentor, and the rest is history!
Q: What would you say is one of your best-selling items right now?
A: As challenging as this year has been for every business, it has offered us the opportunity to try some new products like our new Hoot-N-Annie burger, a bacon cheeseburger with fried onion rings and Sweet Baby Ray’s Barbecue sauce, and our new Mushroom and Swiss Burger! As well as the classics, like our famous 1/4-pound Ultimate Grilled Bologna Sandwich and Fresh-Cut Fair Fries.
Q: What’s your favorite part about running a food truck?
A: Working with my family and friends everyday, for sure. They are a wonderful support team that I could not survive without. I also love getting to know my regular customers and giving them a sense of tradition in Knox County by continuing the same quality food and service that Bobbie started 33 years ago. I love how supportive all of us concession owners are with one another. I've made some amazing friends over the years; you really become like one big family.
Q: If there was one thing you wanted the citizens of Mount Vernon to know about your establishment, what would it be?
A: We are here to serve Knox County with quality products at reasonable prices and the friendliest service in town. We live and work in this community, and our customers are very important to us. It has been a difficult season losing 18 of the 22 shows due to COVID-19, but we would like to thank the community for supporting all of your local vendors and Ellis Brothers/United Aggregates Inc. for providing us a place to set up this year.
Find location updates on our Facebook page @anniesconcessions.
Email: andreas4675@gmail.com
