Today we’d like to introduce you to Jordan Eichenblatt.
Hi Jordan, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
The Parking Lot Party started because of a few factors. We own a food truck called Cholo Dogs and we were frustrated with the lack of events outside during COVID. We also had visited Atlanta in August of 2021 and stumbled upon a Friday night food truck rally in one of the neighborhoods.
Tasty Takeover is such an amazing event but it is on Tuesdays in the Milk District, but there wasn’t anything happening in the Mills 50 district. So we called our friends at Conrad’s Shanty and started discussing the idea of a food truck rally in their parking lot and the Parking Lot Party was born.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Right away the challenges are getting food trucks to come. Friday nights are a risk and we were a brand new market. On top of that, coordinating the event is difficult. The Conrads guys were in the process of building out the Gnarly Barley, we have 2 other businesses to run so it was stressful.
Zach from Conrads did a great job communicating to his neighbors so they would move their cars and we can fit the trucks in. But the second the trucks rolled in, we knew we have something special.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am most proud of the fact that we are hosting not just food trucks but pop-ups too.
And 9 out of our 10 events every single food concept has sold out. I am also proud of the fact Parking Lot Party is becoming a well-known event in Orlando beyond my friends, which is awesome because now we can showcase these amazing food concepts.
And we are growing, a new Sunday Farmers Market is coming to Pourchoice every other Sunday, we are super close to the 3rd location for a Friday night Parking Lot Party and a GIANT market is coming Sunday, March 13th in Mills 50.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Making people smile. If I make one person smile, it will make them make another person smile.
Contact Info:
- Email: millsfiftyparkinglotparty.com
- Website: orlandoparkinglotparty.com
- Instagram: @orlandoparkinglotparty
