During the fall of 2022, Whitney Cox purchased a mobile trailer and converted it into a custom bar. She named it The Craft and began offering bar catering services at a variety of events, specializing in scratch-made specialty cocktails and drinks.
Cox said business has exploded in just over a year, prompting her to sell her current unit and build a larger one. She’s also considering the possibility of launching multiple additional trailers.
“Many people think I am closing, and that’s not the case. I simply want to sell my one and build a larger one,” Cox said. “When I was building my first trailer, I quickly realized I fell in love with it. I like to consider myself a craft person, and I love taking an idea in my head and building it into my business.”
The 2003 Delta enclosed trailer measures 16×8.5 feet and features plumbing, stainless-steel sinks, hand washing stations, clean and dirty water tanks, and a water heater. She also built in shelving and liquor wells for storage, replaced the insulation, added finished walls, added electricity, and made many more upgrades.
While she hopes to sell it, she’s also okay with repurposing it for future projects.
For now, Cox is focusing on expanding to other cities in Kentucky, beginning with Bowling Green. Hence, the reason for the new trailers. She plans on moving to Bowling Green this summer to start there while continuing to conduct business in Owensboro.
“I will still conduct business in Owensboro, so you will still see us downtown,” she said. “I absolutely love serving my community and getting to experience all the festivals, weddings, and private events.”
Cox graduated from Western Kentucky University in 2020 and immediately began drafting a 5-year plan. Her ultimate dream was always to open her own business.
One afternoon, she was picking up her son from school and noticed some wooden pallets. With a passion for crafts, she immediately thought about what she could transform the pallets into, and that’s when it clicked.
“I opened to the public on the first Friday of Friday After 5 in 2023 and was completely blown away with the love and support shown from our community, which is why change is happening,” she said. “And, because we’re able to grow, we plan on giving back in 2024. I have said since day one that I can’t be in a position of success without sharing that with my community, and the first place we plan to give back to is My Sister’s Keeper.”
To inquire about purchasing the trailer or for those interested in more info on services, visit the Facebook business page here.
“It doesn’t ever feel like work because I love what I do, and I’m extremely thankful for a community that has not only pushed me in this growth but has supported me, shared my Facebook posts and sent referrals,” Cox said. “I wouldn’t be in this position without them.”
