We had the good fortune of connecting with Theres And Gabby and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Theres and Gabby, every day, we about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
We both worked in the corporate event world, and we were passionate about the industry but we wanted to break off and do our own thing. We came across the mobile bar idea when it was starting to flourish overseas in Europe and Australia. There was nothing like that here in the US at the time, and definitely not in South Carolina. We started out with one bar, then two, and now own the largest fleet of mobile bars in the US!
Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
At Chugalug Wagon, we pride ourselves on being pioneers in our industry. From the very beginning, we’ve led the way in innovation, setting new standards and trends that others follow. What truly distinguishes us, however, is our commitment to providing the most personable service. Our team is dedicated to understanding your vision and bringing it to life, from the moment you reach out to us, to when our team shows up on site to serve your guests. We customize all our packages to fit your specific style. Whether it’s a wedding, special event, corporate party, or any other shindig, we tailor our offerings to ensure they align perfectly with your theme.
We are most proud of the team we have built and the connections we have made through the years. Every single one of our 5-star reviews mentions how incredible and easy we were to work with, how friendly and wonderful our staff was and how our adorable mobile bars truly made the event. While this hasn’t been the easiest road, it was well worth it.
When we first started out, we barely knew what we were doing, and we had to just figure it out on the go. If it could go wrong, it did, but we always got through it and learned a lesson for the next round. Being self-taught, it forces you to learn. The trials and errors are the only way to learn and grow.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
There is so much to do in Charleston, it’s hard to narrow it down — especially all the eating and drinking you can do in this city! BUT, if I had a friend visiting for a weekend, this would be our itinerary:
Friday Night: Dinner at Chubbyfish (the best!). Put your name on the list because there is always a wait, and hop to a nearby bar to grab drinks while you wait. After dinner, try to catch a comedy show at Theatre 99. It will leave you in stitches! If you still have the energy, grab a good nightcap at Proof or Last Saint.
Saturday Day: Get a coffee and donut at Bked Donuts! THE BEST! Walk through the downtown Farmer’s Market. Take a carriage tour — it’s touristy, but a great way to see the backstreets of the city and learn a little history.
Saturday Happy Hour: For sunset, go over the bridge to Shem Creek and get a happy hour bite and drink at Tavern & Table. Watch the boats cruise by and see dolphins swim right up to the docks!
Saturday Night: This is tough, but I’d say go to The Ordinary for some incredible seafood and cocktails, or Leon’s for fried chicken and baked oysters. At Leon’s, make sure to get one of their frozen Gin & Tonics. Afterward, go sing Karaoke at Bangkok Lounge or if you want more of a dive bar vibe, go hear live music at Burns Alley.
Sunday Late Morning: The Pourhouse Farmer’s Market on James Island. This is a hip, funky farmer’s market with all the goods. They have a live band on the deck and great sips and bites at the bar.
Sunday Afternoon: If you have time and the weather is nice, take a trip to Folly Beach. Take a walk on the beach, and grab a bite at our fave spot, Chico Feo! Fun and eclectic little spot with great, outdoor vibes and live music.
Sunday Evening: At this point, you’re probably stuffed, but if you can make it back downtown, go get some truffle popcorn and a few cocktails at Doar Bros, and finish the night in the dimly lit bar of the Peninsula Grill, for a slice of their famous coconut cake.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
We’d love to dedicate our Shoutout to our mentor and business coach Sarah Murphy with Mobile Bev Pros. She is a guru for all the things related to the mobile bar business and helped us get over our fears around growth and expansion. Because of her, we were able to take our small, mom-and-pop shop and scale it into a streamlined, well-oiled machine with full time employees. She helped us “see the forest for the trees,” believe in ourselves, our strategy and our worth.
Website: https://www.chugalugwagon.com
Instagram: @chugalugwagon
Facebook: @chugalugwagon
Image Credits
John Apsey
Abby Fox
Marissa Demott
Kailee DiMeglio