Cookeville Tennessee Trackside Food Truck Park

Cookeville is about to get even tastier. Coming this October, on the historically rich west side, is the much-anticipated Trackside Food Truck Park. Ricky & Shannon Shelton, the entrepreneurial spirits behind this endeavor, invite all to a harmonious blend of past and present, where culinary delights meet community roots.

Save the Dates: Trackside’s Launch in 2023

  • Soft Opening: Wednesday, October 11th
  • Grand Opening: Friday, October 13th
  • Doors swing open at 11 am to a symphony of aromas.
  • A pivotal moment with the ribbon-cutting ceremony at 5 pm.
  • Revel in the ambiance with Jake Hoot’s live performance at 6 pm.
Trackside hours of operation sign

Situated in the Heart of Cookeville

Located at 172 W Broad St, Trackside claims its heritage just west of the Depot and shares its charm with the neighboring P Dilly’s cupcakes. The park not only promises a feast for your taste buds but also features:

  • Handicap accessibility for inclusive enjoyment.
  • A pet-friendly ethos; just remember the leash.
  • Live music, elevating the ambiance.
  • On-site picnic tables, and a suggestion to bring along your favorite chair for musical events.
  • Convenient public restrooms and parking.

Dive deeper, or even explore partnership opportunities, by visiting their official website.

Why Trackside? The Vision and the Journey

Ricky Shelton draws parallels to the “Field of Dreams” – “If you build it, they will come.” The excitement within the community is palpable. The concept emerged from the Sheltons’ travels, where they were inspired by bustling food truck parks fostering community connections.

But Trackside isn’t just any food truck park. It’s where history is respected – from its location on a former railroad yard to reclaimed timbers from a 1920s loading dock and bricks from the legendary Shanks Hotel.

The essence of Trackside is to augment Cookeville’s burgeoning food scene, creating a space for families and friends to forge memories while supporting local businesses. As Ricky mentioned, this venture aims to complement, not compete. It’s about fostering a lively, harmonious, small-business ecosystem.

For Visitors: All You Need to Know

Where and When?

  • Location: 172 W Broad St, West of the Depot in Cookeville.
  • Dates: Grand opening on Friday, October 13th with regular operation hours from Wednesday to Saturday.

Dining and Entertainment:

  • Experience an ensemble of six local food trucks, each offering distinct culinary experiences.
  • Tune in for live music sessions, with the sensational Jake Hoot headlining the grand opening.
  • Planning to catch the entire concert? Bring a chair!

Accessibility and Amenities:

  • Parking: Adjacent public parking.
  • Accessibility: Handicap accessible and pet-friendly (on leash).
  • Facilities: Public restrooms available with on-site picnic tables.

More Cookeville Trackside signs on a building

For Vendors: Setting Up at Trackside

Slots and Space:

  • Six exclusive slots available for food trucks, with four already signaling their intent to become permanent fixtures.
  • Designated spaces come equipped with electricity to ensure no need for noisy generators.

Facilities and Support:

  • An environment-friendly approach with electricity provisions to prevent the use of generators.
  • Flexibility for vendors to choose between permanent spots or a rotational presence based on preference.
  • Situated close to local landmarks like the Train Depot and P Dilly’s cupcakes, ensuring a robust footfall.

How to Join:
Keen vendors are encouraged to directly get in touch with Trackside for collaboration opportunities. Additionally, if you’re a musician interested in performing or a business aiming for advertising prospects, Trackside beckons.


6 Known Vendors For Trackside Food Truck Park

From what I’ve gathered via social posts and articles, there are supposed to be at least 5 vendors that have made some type of commitment to stick around longer term. One of the slots, according to the owners, may be rotational.

  1. Big Foot Eats & Treats
  2. Bondi Bowls
  3. Gunsmoke’s Burgers and Grille
  4. Helen’s Restaurant
  5. Abuela’s Cuban Cafe
  6. Fil-Thai

Sources:

[https://www.ucbjournal.com/why-a-food-truck-park-ricky-shelton-says-his-new-project-is-driven-by-need/]

[https://newstalk941.com/trackside-food-truck-park-to-open-on-october-13/]

About Jeff Martin

Avatar photoJeff was born in Cookeville, TN and has raised three children there. He knows a lot about the area and likes sharing his intimate knowledge of the city here on this blog.

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