11/23/2024
I want to start this message with pure gratitude. I am so thankful for everything Street Eats has given me and that wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible support of the beautiful people of downtown Johnson City. I can’t express with these words how much I appreciate your support all these years. Also want to apologize in advance for being so long-winded but this is an extremely difficult message for me.
I have had an amazing run, but sadly Street Eats has come to an end. I have not taken this decision lightly. I’ve been agonizing over this for a long time. A lot of you knew that the end was coming soon, and to those who are surprised, I’m sorry to disappoint you. I’m truly sorry to everyone who is disappointed. I’m sorry for what seems like an abrupt end. Truthfully, 2 years ago when I cut down to Saturday nights only is when I should’ve quit. 3 years ago I started approaching people to work with me thinking I could pass the whole business on and keep it going. But the job is too difficult and when people hear the details of what it takes to run, they want nothing to do with it. And for a couple years I’ve been scouring the area for commercial real estate hoping to find the perfect place to allow me to turn Street Eats into a day job. But after a lot of soul searching, I know I don’t want to be a restaurant owner. I’ve spent the last 28 years in the food service industry and it’s time for me to make my exit. I’m 45 now and probably have another 25 years of work ahead of me. That’s time for another whole career and it just can’t be in the food business. You guys helped me conquer the food business. As long as I kept showing up, you kept making me successful in this unicorn of a job. But the job is too difficult and it’s been taking a toll on my health for about 4 years now. I love what I do and I think you guys could see that and I honestly wish could do it forever but I just physically can’t. I won’t bore you with the details but just trust me when I say that I physically can’t do it anymore. I want you to know I kept Street Eats alive as long I could. I know that i’ll miss it and i’ll miss interacting with all my amazing peoples. I loved that part so much. I loved making people happy. It’s what kept me going for so long. Thank you for showing me so much love and kindness.
I was out there in them street serving up yummy eats for close to 13 years. I like to think of it as downtown Johnson City’s magic period and it’s definitely the end of an era. I know everyone will miss being able to walk out of the bar and have fast delicious food right there. I’m going from everyone’s hero to the biggest disappointment. But I have to do this. I have to move on for my own sake. I hope you all can understand.
Street Eats was still highly successful right up to the end. Every time I was out I would sell a ridiculous amount of hot dogs even if it was slow downtown. You guys did that for me and i’ll always remember this period of my life fondly with so much pride. I’m proud of what I did out there standing on that street. And I hope someone takes my place. If I had any advice for someone wanting to fill the void I’m leaving, I would recommend setting up in my spot and using my exact menu with my exact products. Message this acct if you’re interested and i’ll tell you all of my products and where to get them. If you work your ass off you can make a career out of it.
And in closing I just want to say, this is not a joke, Street Eats is done. I had to move on. I’ll miss it dearly. And i’ll miss everyone downtown. If I ever interacted with you in any large or small way, i’ll miss you and I love you. I mean that. Even all the haters and some of the street people. And I think it’s very fitting that on my last night out I got residually pepper sprayed. A couple of idiots were fighting right next to my line and it ended with a girl pepper spraying a guy in the face and the whole crowd got a taste. Including me. Barely missed a beat and just kept churning out dogs. It was pretty messed up. The straw that broke the camel’s back? Maybe. But the end has been a long time coming. I held out for the absolute longest I could.
If you still want to get Street Eats merch, time is running out! The last day the online store will be open is December 9. After that it’ll be gone forever! Check it out! Lots of variety in items and colors and designs! Keep scrolling down! Would make a great Christmas gift! Something to remember me by!
Click here to go straight to the store👇
https://www.streeteatsmerch.com/store-1
One more time, THANK YOU to all the amazing people of downtown Johnson City. I love you and i’ll miss you.
Take it easy.
❤️🌭
