As Lonnie Thorn’s children have grown up and left the nest, he hasn’t sought to slow down.
Rather, he’s amped up to open a business and feed foodies in Cleveland County and beyond.
Thorn recently revved up the Spirit of America, a food truck he purchased from someone in Kentucky.
While he didn’t come up with the name or the wrap that encased the vehicle, Thorn said the theme was significant to him and his family.
One of his two sons is a Marine; he has a military family and tried to get in to the service himself but was denied due to a bum knee.
The design on the outside of the truck features an American flag, the Statue of Liberty and an eagle.
“I loved the way the wrap looked,” he said.
But what comes from inside is what Thorn hopes tantalizes the tastebuds and keeps customers coming back.
“Jerk chicken is probably one of the most popular items,” he said.
It's a marinade instead of a rub that seems to appeal to customers. Other popular items include the fried cheese ball, New York style hot dog and jalapeno popper burger, he said.
His steak sandwiches served on garlic rolls are also a hit.
Thorn says he believes in buying locally sourced food.
“We try to make sure everything is fresh and homemade, and we try to make everyone happy,” he said.
Thorn parks his truck at Lowe’s Home Improvement in Forest City, Clearwater Paper in Cleveland County and bars, wineries and events. He updates his locations on Spirit of America’s Facebook page.
The business keeps him busy every day of the week.
He serves food in various locations six days a week, and on the seventh, he picks up supplies and restocks the truck.
Thorn and his family are originally from upstate New York.
When his sons were younger, they would vacation in North Carolina, often checking out gem mines.
About seven years ago they settled in Mooresboro, an area not unlike the rural surroundings he was used to in New York.
While Thorn was a contractor for years, his background in food service goes way back.
“I've always cooked, since I was 16,” he said.
At age 19, Thorn had a hot dog cart. In his early 20s, he had a combination restaurant, ice cream shop and consignment shop, but he switched gears when he started a family.
“I always said once my kids are old enough, I’d go back.”
What got Thorn into cooking is simple.
“I like to eat,” he said.
Thorn said he has worked in many aspects of the restaurant business, from diners to high-end dining, and he feels comfortable on the food truck.
While some business owners use a food truck as a jumping off point with the ultimate goal of opening a brick-and-mortar restaurant, Thorn says that’s not his plan. He likes the current business model.
He said having a food truck allows him to operate with a small staff which is more his style and easier to operate in today’s climate.
“I try to treat them like family,” he said of his employees.
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