Oct. 24, 2024

Richard Simpson’s disappointment after losing his original spot for his barbecue stand turned into an opportunity for him to move into a food truck.

He started Who Wan’ Smoke in August in a parking lot at 49th Street and Minnesota Avenue but had to find a new home in September. The change also led to quitting his full-time job and putting all his effort into the barbecue business.

Simpson ended up connecting with Robert Cool, the owner of Vape Pen Sales, who wanted to put one of the business’ extra trailers to use as a food truck outside the store at 1101 S. Cliff Ave.

“It’s a wide-open area for me to be seen, and there are plenty of parking spaces,” he said.

The Texas native sells his Southern-style barbecue Monday through Saturday. Hours are noon to 8 p.m. with an hourlong break starting at 2:30 p.m.

Simpson’s smokers and grills are set up outside the trailer, along with picnic tables for diners while the warm weather holds.

He’ll be able to operate through the winter and plans to expand the menu.

“For the wintertime, I want to bring to the table more what I call soul-nourishing foods like gumbo, chicken Creole, you know, Southern and Southern soul food and Cajun style, hot dishes.”

Who Wan’ Smoke’s standard menu includes brisket ribs, chicken, sausage and burgers. The potato salad isn’t homemade, but Simpson’s Southern-style charro beans are. For barbecue sauce, he offers the national brand Sweet Baby Ray’s and Ike’s Sauce, which a friend makes for him.

With his new location close to the Avera McKennan campus, Simpson is offering a discount to essential workers. He started the promotion in October, and he’ll have another one in November.

Vape Pen Sales has been in business for 12 years and has been on South Cliff Avenue for the past four years, said Sarah Manning, chief marketing officer.

The store is remodeling its entrance after a thief drove a car through the window to gain access to the merchandise, she said.

The business also is changing the layout of the products inside.

“We want it to be more experiential retail,” she said.

The industry has been changing and will continue to change, and Vape Pen Sales wants to reflect that through its look and helping create “a real vibrant neighborhood,” Manning said. Providing a home for Who Wan’ Smoke is part of that.

“Everything was so dominated by nicotine 12 years ago when we started. Now, we’re moving into a more wellness space for the market. … We also do a number of CBD products, Kratom and all of the new spaces that the Farm Bill has opened up.”

Vape Pen Sales hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Texas native shares his Southern barbecue skills from a parking lot