The Georgia Virtue Business Spotlight Series features local businesses that function as the backbone of our communities. The series is sponsored by Bulloch Solutions.
Horse trailer turned mobile bar with a story that will have you kicking up your boots…or any other shoes you’re wearing.
Pablo Jara isn’t from Statesboro or Bulloch County, but it’s where he and his girlfriend, Logan Polk, call home these days. His name may sound familiar to you – he’s in his third year playing for South Georgia Tormenta FC, the Statesboro-based soccer team. She works at a local business in Statesboro and is attending Georgia Southern for her Masters degree.
When the pandemic halted international travel and kept him from traveling back to Chile in the off season, Pablo decided he wanted to find a job or project to keep him busy and earn a little extra money. He also tossed around the idea of getting a camper to travel around in during down times.
But in February 2021, he was browsing an online marketplace when he found an older trailer in Claxton that needed some pretty substantial work. Pablo was sold on it and went to pick it up, but didn’t tell Logan he was going to buy that particular trailer and run with the idea, so when he showed up with the trailer, she was a bit skeptical about his vision for what it could become.
Ultimately, Pablo built everything himself on the practice field for the team, using skills and trades he had learned from his dad back home in Chile. Working every day over the course of five weeks, the trailer was gutted, restored, and refined based on pictures they scouted out on the internet. Between his dad’s expertise and videos online, the trailer was completely transformed into The Western Wagon.
The rest is pretty much history…except that it is just beginning.
Logan does all the marketing, promotions, social media, and communication with clients. Pablo is responsible for the logistics of towing the wagon to the events, staffing, and maintenance.
They were ready to start advertising in mid-March and had booked their first event serving about 55 people in April of this year. They’ve done a number of other weddings and events since and have more lined up through the end of the year. The duo is working to really break into the wedding market, but they’re open for backyard parties, college events for fraternities and sororities, or any other get together thanks to the versatility of the theme.
“It’s a blank canvas,” Pablo said. The Western Wagon can also help coordinate a bartender if one is needed.
“We want to create memories and we’re already doing that. I’m happy with how it’s going…I am very proud of it,” Pablo shared.
But, of course, there is still room for growth and Pablo and Logan are already scouting additional wagons to add to the fleet. Different themes for different purposes at different events…all at the same time. The good news, at least for now, is that they serve the greater region of southeast Georgia. All you’ve got to do is book them for your next event.
Find out more about The Western Wagon:
Find them on Facebook.
Follow them on Instagram.
Read other Business Spotlight articles on The Georgia Virtue.
