Our story, (continued)

“I need to exit the corporate world and let my creativity flow”, was Jeff’s constant internal voice convincing him to resign the corporate world in mid-2016.  With a national park pass, his dog, a spirit of adventure for the great outdoors, along with plenty of time to plan, Jeff set out on the open road to plan this next chapter.  Culminating his months on the road, and after many more weeks of searching the internet, Jeff purchased a vintage ice cream truck that eventually evolved into what today is Ralphie.  A vintage ice cream truck that is the perfect homage to Jeff’s late father, Ralph, who insisted on an ice cream treat every night at the end of dinnertime.  Full of rust, an engine that drove nowhere close to the speed limit and a paint job reminiscent of the 70’s, this ice cream truck turned into a complete frame-off restoration.  The restoration of Ralphie now presented even more ideas.  A delivery vehicle by day, a cool bar by night?  Yes, a cool bar serving Love Pop Love Potion juice boxes, among the full service of a complete bar.  A retro vibe with a new look, Ralphie sparked a “let’s add more and do more” flood of ideas.  

A trip to Grand Lake in February of 2017 and the possibility of buying a very rare 1969 International Harvester full size step van would add another truck to even more of these inspirational whims.  In less than an hour and without even driving it, the seller was excitedly told, “I’ll take it”, not knowing how it would get back home to Denver.  So the one caveat of the deal, the seller was to navigate Berthoud Pass to get the truck to Denver.  He agreed, with delivery scheduled to arrive two days later.  However, a winter storm, an out-of-control driver sliding on the ice, and four tons of metal collided on Berthoud Pass and halted that idea.  The truck was a total loss!  But not all was a loss, as the restoration of Ralphie continued and that motor that could barely breathe was scrapped.  Replaced with a modern 302 V8, Ralphie now had enough power to tow.  A trailer became the next idea and the next evolution of Love Pop with the addition of our vintage food trailer, Blaze.  Named for the trailblazing spirit of Love Pop, Blaze pays tribute to our love of adventure and this evolving adventure to create Love Pop.  Blaze is our traveling kitchen complete with our retro vibe and all the excitement of a true food truck. 

So here we are, a custom, retro truck and vintage trailer…but wait there’s more!   Jeff’s custom-made harvest-table inspired bar and service tables, plenty of vintage and retro décor, handcrafted and uniquely designed aprons reminiscent of our past true craftsmen, and finally the idea to create a true “Pop Up” and unconventional catered experience, Love Pop came to life.  And with it came the name, Love Pop.  One element however was still missing.  Jeff got back on the internet.  Any true, vintage-inspired “Pop Up” transforming a space into a truly vintage experience needs a rustic flatbed truck.  But not any truck, but rather the one that once puttered around the farm and was parked in the barn, yet later retired to duty in the local parade.  The one that now has become our Harvie.  A 1966 International Harvester dually flatbed that has seen its days on ranches in the West to farmland in the Midwest, is now in Colorado to showcase your event.  Harvie, arrived from Indiana and is our flatbed and once the final character in our cast that is now a part of Love Pop.  

Although Harvie was once the “the final character” of the Love Pop crew, we have since added Josie.  A retro Divco milk truck from the late 50’s, Josie is now our pizza pie road-show.  Serving individual homemade Neapolitan pizza pie from our 900 degree mobile pizza ovens, Josie’s namesake is Jeff’s mom.  Her homemade pizza has made, and continues to make, appearances at many gatherings of family and friends.  In honor of mom, Love Pop’s pizza pies are made from mom’s decades old pizza dough recipe.  

And our 2020 addition is Trio.  A 1970’s Cushman Truckster, Trio is evolving and flowing with ideas, and is now flowing beer and booze from the coolest of trikes.  Trio is the perfect addition to your intimate gathering with a truly unique mini bar. Trio also doubles as the most unconventional exit ride for the newly married couples!

And now our new warehouse commercial kitchen and urban venue, Evolve.  A 5,000 square foot warehouse housing our new commercial kitchen, a high-end demo kitchen, the Love Pop crew, and an indoor/outdoor urban venue, with a 2,500 square foot backyard, located in the heart of Denver.  As telling is this entire journey, our new home is appropriately named Evolve.  The doors to Evolve have opened and our doors our open to our friends, family, couples and clients.  We are excited to share the entire Love Pop Experience and this venue as the next evolution of this amazing journey.  Please visit Evolve at evolvemilehi.com.

A culmination of “Whimspirations”, as Jeff likes to call this journey.  One-part unfettered whims and many parts unwavering inspirations [and plenty of grit], these Whimspirations have come to life.  

So, what’s your Whimpsiration for a gathering?  Or an event?  Or your “big day”?  And how can Love Pop bring it to life?  We promise, in the end it will be a truly whimspirational journey!