Eau Claire Business Owner Faces Setback After Equipment Theft
EAU CLAIRE (WQOW) – An Eau Claire food truck owner, Jim Kent of Rollin Smoke BBQ, is grappling with the aftermath of a significant setback following the theft of essential equipment from his trailer.
Shocking Discovery
After returning from a trip to Texas, Kent discovered his generator was missing from the trailer. “Yesterday [Thursday] I came out to look at the trailer and the generator was gone,” he recounted, expressing his dismay upon seeing the empty space where the generator had been.
High Cost of the Theft
The items stolen, including the generator and other essential barbecue equipment, amounted to a loss of approximately $5,000. With the busy season approaching, Kent highlighted the financial strain this theft has caused, noting, “The funds aren’t there so it hurt a lot.”
Ongoing Challenges
This incident is not the first challenge faced by Rollin Smoke. Just a month ago, the food truck suffered a power surge that required electrical repairs. Kent expressed concern over the potential impact of filing another insurance claim so soon after the last one, fearing it could lead to higher premiums or cancellation.
Community Support
After sharing his plight on social media, Kent received overwhelming support from the community, including offers from fellow food truck owners. “One food truck competitor reached out and said, ‘Hey, I have an extra generator. If you need to borrow it, let me know,'” he shared.
Encouragement to Visit
In light of the difficulties, Kent encourages local residents to visit his food truck, say hello, and enjoy a meal as a way to support his business during this challenging time.
Determined to Keep Going
Currently, Kent’s ability to operate is limited to locations with electrical plug-ins due to the theft. Despite this, he remains optimistic, stating, “We’ll still roll, we’ll go all season,” as he intends to continue serving his popular southern barbecue dishes.
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