City ordinance allows operation on Mondays, Thursdays
Since becoming the first food vendor to embrace locating downtown every Thursday, Big Rev’s BBQ has had so much success that it purchased a new food truck that debuted Thursday.
Owner James “Big Rev” Jackson said being downtown has helped his business a lot.
“It’s shot me to the next level,” he said.
Jackson said the new trailer will help him better serve customers, give him and employees more room to operate and allow Big Rev’s to add more items to the menu, including brisket and sausage with grilled onions and peppers.
“It’s just better accommodations. It’s give me more flexibility, more room. I can do a lot more in this one than I could in the truck because everything is in one unit,” he said.
Mayor Justin McKenzie said it’s an encouraging sign to see Big Rev’s have such success.
“I’m proud to see him be very successful downtown. As our first mobile food vendor, he’s had to expand his operation to grow into this really nice trailer,” he said. “It’s just wonderful to see them be successful and have folks coming out and supporting them.”
The Board of Aldermen passed an ordinance in May allowing food and beverage vendors to operate on Mondays and Thursdays at two spots: On Second Street west of Main Street behind the Columbia Main Street Inc. offices and in designated areas of the Pearl River Interpretive Plaza, which is behind City Hall. Getting a permit requires a $500 annual fee.
Jackson added he looks forward to every Thursday and enjoys interacting with the community.
“It makes me happy to see them happy,” he said. “When there’s been days where it storms, I still get phone calls. That’s what kind of prompted me to get this kind of unit. Everything is under one roof, so I don’t have to worry about the weather anymore. If it’s raining I can be here.”
McKenzie added he hopes Big Rev’s will continue to grow and its success will encourage other food vendors to get involved.
“If we have any food vendors around the community that are interested, they can come by City Hall and fill out an application for their license so we can get them set up,” he said.
Pictured Above: From left, Mayor Justin McKenzie stands alongside Big Rev’s BBQ owner James Jackson, Antoinette Jackson and Maxine Thomas. Big Rev’s has been so successful downtown that it purchased a new food truck to keep up. | Photo by Joshua Campbell
